--- title: 2011 Claret date: 2026-06-23T03:53:00-07:00 canonical_url: "https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2011-claret" section: Wines --- ![Claret](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x960_crop_center-center_82_line/Matthews-2011-Claret.png) Sold Out Tasting Notes Elegant mixture of currants, strawberries and spice. Plums and plum skin weave underneath giving great depth. Red flowers creep in creating a soft plushness to the profile. The palate is round and soft with great texture and presence. Hints of chocolate and red berries resonate at the finish. Extremely silky and polished. Food Pairing Recommendations Steak, Lamb, Venison, Pasta, Shepherds Pie, Salmon, Tuna, Cheese, Dark Chocolate. ![Claret](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x960_crop_center-center_82_line/Matthews-2011-Claret.png) Varietal Composition 68% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc Vinification Fermented in 38% new and 62% used French oak for 19 months Alcohol 14.4% Cases Produced 1,522 Drinkability Now-2026 Trade Materials - [ Tech Sheet ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/2011-Matthews-Claret-Market-Tech-Sheet_2021-10-18-200808_kume.pdf) - [ Bottle Shot ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/Matthews-2011-Claret-2.jpg) ## Awards & Accolades - “Bright and spicy, bristling with fine tannins around a zippy core of cherry, raspberry and clove flavors. A tobacco note adds interest to the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2016 through 2019. 1,522 cases made.” 90 points, Harvey Steinman, Wine Spectator - - “The oak shows prominently on this blend of Merlot (68%), Cabernet Sauvignon (21%), Malbec (7%), Petit Verdot (3%) and Cabernet Franc. It leads with notes of barrel spices, green herbs and blackberry. The palate is full and rich, with dry tannins that need time to stretch their legs.” 90 points, Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast - “A beautiful wine, the 2011 Claret offers up a medium to full-bodied, supple and elegant profile to go with impressive notes of dark berry fruits, spice box, hints of graphite and crushed flowers. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc that spent 19 months in 30% new French oak, it’s a serious, seamlessly put together wine that blossoms in the glass, has integrated acidity and fine tannin that emerges on the finish. Due to the cooler year, the blend here was tweaked slightly to include more Merlot, as the Cabernet didn’t achieve the desired level of ripeness. It should drink well for 10 to 12 years, if not longer.” 90 points, Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate - - “Full, bright, deep red. Sexy aromas of black raspberry, mocha, licorice, tar and tobacco. At once smooth and tight-grained, with intense black fruit-dominated flavors showing very good grip. Carries nicely on the finish, which features broad tannins, firm acidity and suave oak treatment. I like this style.” 90 points, Stephen Tanzer, Vinous ## Vineyards ![Red Mountain](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/vineyardMaps/Map-Red-Mountain-3_2_2022-09-20-175138_udmh.svg)### Red Mountain Designated: 2001 Vineyards: 2,382 acres (963 hectares) Top Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc Average Annual Precipitation: 5 inches Soil: Silt, sand, volcanic basalt Average vine age: 22yrs [Learn More](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/vineyards/red-mountain) ![Royal Slope](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/vineyardMaps/Map-Royal-Slope-AVA-3_2_2022-09-20-182941_opfx.svg) ### 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 [Learn More](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/vineyards/royal-slope) Past Vintages ## Explore the Claret Vintages - [2022](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2022-claret) - [2021](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2021-columbia-valley-claret) - [2020](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2020-claret) - [2019](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2019-claret) - [2018](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2018-2) - [2017](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2017-claret) - [2016](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2016-claret) - [2015](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2015-claret) - [2014](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2014-claret) - [2013](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2013-claret) - [2012](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2012-claret) - 2011 - [2010](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2010-claret) - [2009](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2009-claret) - [2008](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2008-claret) - [2007](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2007-claret) - [2006](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2016-claret-2) ## Related Wines Previous Next - [ ![Claret](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2026_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Claret-2018_2021-09-21-205027_sptf.png) ### Claret ](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2018-2) - [ ![Cuvée](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2026_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Cuvee-2018_2021-09-23-181059_xtdj.png) ### Cuvée ](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/cuv%C3%A9e/2018-cuv%C3%A9e) - [ ![Cabernet Sauvignon](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2133_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-CabSauv-2018.png) ### Cabernet Sauvignon ](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/cabernet-sauvignon/2018) [ Back ](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines)--- Open scroll-to-section menu - [ Overview ](#tech-specs) - [ Accolades ](#accolades) - [ Vineyards ](#vineyards) - [ Related Wines ](#related-wines) ## Scroll To - [ Overview ](#tech-specs) - [ Accolades ](#accolades) - [ Vineyards ](#vineyards) - [ Related Wines ](#related-wines) Close dialog