I have long admired the wines by Matthews, one of the great winery destinations in Woodinville. I have so many fond memories tasting there with friends over the years. Their space has been updated many times and has a terrific outdoor space for a warm summer day. I first began tasting at this winery after I returned from graduate school in 2007. The winery has deep roots in the Woodinville area, being first launched back in 1992 and remains a family owned and operated winery. They made a huge splash more than a year ago hiring the winemaking team from Quilceda Creek. It will be exceedingly excited to see the direction that this winery goes in the future. They already source from some of the truly great vineyards in Washington like Stillwater Creek, Champoux, Lawrence Weinbau and Sagemoor Vineyards. Today Bryan Otis serves as second generation proprietor. Bryan is a passionate wine enthusiast and has done exceedingly well with his brand. He sees the incredible potential for Washington wine in the future.
I love the new 2020 Matthews lineup which comes from a more than challenging vintage. The winemaking team has deftly navigated the challenging conditions at harvest, producing wines that show good depth, concentration and bright acidity. The finest new wine I tasted was the gorgeous 2020 ‘Red Mountain Cuvee’ Red Wine (OB, 94) which is very deep and plush with a silky mouthfeel. This will surely satisfy any great lover of Washington red blends. For more about the excellent Matthews lineup check out their website at http://www.matthewswinery.com/ Here are the great future 2020 red wine releases by Matthews.
2020 Matthews ‘Horse Heaven Hills Cuvee’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Horse Heaven Hills Cuvee’ comes for the Champoux and Wallula Gap Vineyards, as this was stored for 22 months in 52% new French oak before bottling. Mostly Merlot (40%) and Malbec (24%), this delivers Asian spice with Earl Grey tea, blackberry compote and shades of pencil lead on the nose. The palate is fresh and soft, with a very smooth texture. Showing good brightness and weight, this is already nicely evolved. Enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 93
2020 Matthews ‘Horse Heaven Hills Claret’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Horse Heaven Hills Claret’ combines 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc with small parts Malbec, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Coming from the Wallula Gap and Champoux Vineyards, this comes off very soft and inviting on the mouth with juicy red fruits that mingle well with tobacco leaf, milk chocolate and sagebrush tones. Most stored in stainless steel, this is very inviting to enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 93
2020 Matthews ‘Royal Slope Cuvee’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Royal Slope Cuvee’ 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
2020 Matthews ‘Royal Slope Claret’ Red Wine- The outstanding 2020 Matthews ‘Royal Slope Claret’ Red Wine combines 60% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parts Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Soft and round on the mouth, this delivers bulls blood and iodine tones that combine with cedar, chocolate and copious dark fruit flavors. Really good now, with refined tannins and good underlying freshness, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2022-2032- 93
2020 Matthews ‘Red Mountain Cuvee’ Red Wine- The 2020 Matthews ‘Red Mountain Cuvee’ Red Wine is a Merlot dominant blend (69%) with 19% Cabernet Franc, 7% Malbec and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. This shows good concentration with chocolate covered black cherry flavors alongside wet rock, huckleberry compote, and shades of menthol with copious minerals on the palate. Really good now, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 94
2020 Matthews ‘Red Mountain Claret’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Red Mountain Claret’ Red Wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (61%) with small portions Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot sourced from the Canyons, Hedges, Shaw, Red Mountain and Quintessence Vineyards. Once on the nose this takes on layers of creosote, blackberry cordial, and suggestions of chocolate pie. The palate is concentrated and plush with a seamless texture and good length. This is seriously good and generous Left Bank inspired wine that is best consumed now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 94