--- title: 2021 Royal Slope Cuvée date: 2026-06-23T03:53:00-07:00 canonical_url: "https://matthewswinery.com/wines/royal-slope/royal-slope-cuvée/2021-royal-slope-cuvée" section: Wines --- ![Royal Slope Cuvée](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Cuvee-RoyalSlope-2021.jpg) The 2021 Royal Slope Cuvée is a deep crimson in the glass with pretty aromatics of guava, red currant, dried flowers, and wet stone. The full-bodied palate showcases flavors of huckleberry pie, dark coffee, and earthy minerals. The sappy mouthfeel is accented by pillowy tannins and a delicious finish of raspberry liqueur and cacao nib. [ Buy Now$90](https://shop.avalle.us/product/2021-matthews-royal-slope-cuve) VintagesInformation Vintages - 2021 - [ 2020 ](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/royal-slope/royal-slope-cuv%C3%A9e/cuv%C3%A9e) - [ 2019 ](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/royal-slope/royal-slope-cuv%C3%A9e/2019-royal-slope-cuv%C3%A9e) Varietal(s) 53% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 8% Malbec Vinification Each parcel was hand-sorted from the vineyard, with gentle fermentation and extended maceration culminating over 30+ days. Cellared in 100% new French oak for 21 months. Alcohol 15.0% Cases Produced 305 Vintage Notes The 2021 Matthews Royal Slope Cuvée is a meticulously crafted wine from several vineyard parcels within the Royal Slope AVA of the Columbia Valley. Key sites include Stoneridge, Solaksen, and Scarline Vineyards, allowing this Merlot-dominant blend to showcase the diverse flavors and aromatic expressions of the region. The winemaking team collaborated with vineyard managers to limit yields, resulting in small, concentrated berries. Cool fall nights preserved freshness while enhancing flavor development. Hand-harvesting occurred in the early mornings of October. At the winery, the fruit underwent cluster sorting, de-stemming, and berry-sorting. For maximum flavor extraction, the wine was fermented and kept in tank for 30+ days to extend the maceration time with the aim of encouraging deeper textural layering. After this extended maceration, the wine was cellared in various formats of new 100% new French oak. After 21 months of cellaring, 13 carefully blended barrels produced only 354 cases of this pure, vibrant, and intense Cuvée, which was bottled unfined and unfiltered. 7 different clones were used in the final blend: Merlot clone 15, Cabernet Sauvignon clones 2, 4, 191, Cabernet Franc clones 214, 327, Malbec clone 4. Expert Reviews & Scores ### Owen Bargreen, [owenbargreen.com](https://owenbargreen.com) 95 / 100 > The really good Merlot dominant 2021 Matthews ‘Royal Slope Cuvee’ Red Wine offers garrigue and blackberry notes on the nose alongside shades of tar, with stony undercurrents. The palate is soft and enticing with good richness and a seamless texture. Layered with its core of dense dark fruits, tobacco leaf and coffee grounds, this is a beautiful showing that is already drinking nicely at the two year mark. Savor this beauty now and over the next ten years to come. Trade Materials - [ Bottle Shot](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Cuvee-RoyalSlope-2021.jpg) - [ Front Label](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/21RSCU-Front-Label.jpg) - [ Back Label](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/21RSCU-Back-Label.jpg) - [ Tech Sheet](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/M21RSCU-TS.pdf) [ Buy Now$90](https://shop.avalle.us/product/2021-matthews-royal-slope-cuve)