2020Royal Slope Cuvée
2020Royal Slope Cuvée
The 2020 Matthews Royal Slope Cuvée comes from several vineyards within the Royal Slope AVA: Stillwater Creek, Solaksen, and Scarline. After hand-harvesting in the early fall mornings, the fruit was hand-sorted and fermented using both stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels. The free-run juice was cellared in French oak (60% new) for 20 months. Bottling took place in June of 2022, resulting in only 624 cases.
This Right Bank Bordeaux varietal blend shows deep garnet with a ruby rim in the glass. Pomegranate, tart cherry, dried leaves, and pencil shavings on the nose, followed by flavors of fresh forest floor, saddle leather, berries and cream. The mouthfeel is linear, with polished tannin and beautifully balanced acidity. The finish is long with cranberry, toasty oak, café au lait and hints of clove.
Awards & Accolades
"The 2020 ‘Royal Slope Cuvée' is a beautiful blend of 64% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc and smaller parts Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Fresh mint, black currants, cigar box and dark chocolate shavings all fill the nose. The palate is very juicy and bright, with good underlying finesse. Finishing long with black fruits and minerals, savor this great Merlot dominant blend now and over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032."
-93 points, Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com
AVAs
Royal Slope
Royal Slope
- Designated
- 2020
- Vineyards
- 1,900 acres (768 hectares)
- Top Varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc
- Average Annual Precipitation
- 6-8 inches
- Soil
- Sandy loam, soil
- Average Vine Age
- 14yrs
