2021Reserve Cuve

The 2021 Matthews Reserve Cuve is comprised of several vineyard parcels within the greater Columbia Valley. Key sites are from Horse Heaven Hills, Royal Slope, Red Mountain, and White Bluffs AVAs, as well as Conner Lee vineyard. This wine truly represents the broad flavor and aromatic expressions of Bordeaux varietals from the diverse terroirs of Washington State. The winemaking team worked with vineyard managers to restrict yields, creating small, concentrated berries. Cool fall nights preserved freshness in the wine while continuing flavor development. Hand-harvesting took place in the early mornings throughout October.

Once arriving at the winery, the fruit was cluster-sorted, de-stemmed, and berry-sorted. The grapes were placed in tank and cold soaked for two days before a 14-day fermentation along with 14 extra days of extended maceration, making it a total of 32 days in tank for maximum extraction. The free run wine was barreled down into varying formats of 100% new French oak and cellared for 21 months.

In the Spring of 2023, 20 carefully selected barrels were blended and in July 2023 bottled (unfined and unfiltered), producing only 465 cases.

Seven separate clones were included in the final blend (Merlot: 2, 3, 6 Cabernet Franc: 1, 214, 327 Cabernet Sauvignon: 8).

Tasting Notes

The 2021 Reserve Cuve displays a flashy opaque ruby purple in the glass. Pervasive aromas of black plum, cacao, maraschino cherry, pencil lead, and cigar box impress. The full-bodied palate supports flavors of black currants, kirsch, star anise, and crme de violet. Plush, fine-grained tannins and balanced, quenching acidity leads to an expressive finish of toasted walnut, chocolate ganache, and fruit cake.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Italian Sausage and Mushroom Lasagna with Porcini Bechamel Sauce

Varietal Composition

50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Alcohol

15.1%

Cases Produced

465

Drinkability

Now – 2040

Awards & Accolades

“The 2021 Reserve Cuve from Matthews is another gorgeous combination of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that rests in 100% new French oak for 21 months. A touch fresher on the nose than its siblings, it offers refreshing notes of boysenberries, black currant, sweet vanilla, dried thyme, wet earth, and crushed toasted green peppercorns. Sweet present tannins are integrating nicely into the backbone of the wine and pair perfectly with the balanced, mouthwatering acidity. Lots of cellar potential with this one. 465 cases made. Highly recommended and editors choice.”

– 97 points, Jeremy Young, International Wine Report

“The 2021 Matthews Reserve Cuvee combines mostly Merlot and Cabernet Franc with small parts Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a world-class effort by the new Matthews winemaking team that shows all three working parts in seamless motion. Stored in 100% new French oak, this hedonistic beauty shows red bell pepper and mocha flavors that collide with anise, black currants, Chinese five spice and loamy soil accents. Very complex, this could easily be a 20-year wine. But why wait? Drink 2023-2038.”

-97 points, Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com

“The 2021 Cuve Reserve opens with mentholated freshness as notes of rosemary, exotic spice and peppery rose give way to crushed blackberries. Its silky smooth and energetic, with fresh acidity that enlivens its ripe wild berry fruits. A twang of sour orange adds lovely dimension. Classically dry, with a lavender and cocoa tinge, the 2021 finishes long and staining. The 2021 is a blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.”

-94+ points, Eric Guido, Vinous Media