--- title: 2012 Claret date: 2026-06-23T03:53:00-07:00 canonical_url: "https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2012-claret" section: Wines --- ![Claret](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2025_crop_center-center_82_line/Matthews-2012-Claret.png) Sold Out Tasting Notes Sappy currants, plum skin and dark spices. The nose is rich but fresh with notes of dried red berries mixed with blackberry and plum jam. The palate has volume but shows good density and has more of a Cabernet driven tannin profile, giving the wine great composure and balance. Food Pairing Recommendations Steak, Lamb, Venison, Pasta, Shepherd’s Pie, Salmon, Tuna, Cheese, dark chocolate. ![Claret](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2025_crop_center-center_82_line/Matthews-2012-Claret.png) Varietal Composition 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cab Franc, 10% Merlot, 5% Syrah, 3% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot Vinification Fermented in 40% new French oak and 60% used French oak Alcohol 14.5% Cases Produced 1886 Drinkability Now-2025 Trade Materials - [ Tech Sheet ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/2012-Matthews-Claret-Tech-Sheet_2021-10-18-194513_buxj.pdf) - [ Bottle Shot ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/Matthews-2012-Claret-2.jpg) ## Awards & Accolades - “Generous, velvety and nicely focused to deliver juicy plum, currant and cherry flavors against a layer of nubby tannins, the finish persisting with impressive length. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2022. 1,886 cases made.” 92 points, Harvey Steinman, Wine Spectator - - “This wine is 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 5% Syrah, 3% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. It displays fruit-forward aromas of blackberry seed, plum, asphalt and spice. The flavors are dense, focused and layered, showing depth, purity and texture.” 93 points, Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast - “A step back from the 2013, the 2012 Claret (54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and the rest Syrah, Malbec and Petit Verdot) is still outstanding, with lots of chocolaty dark fruits, bitter herbs, wood smoke and tobacco notes all emerging from the glass. Full-bodied, bright, focused and with notable acidity, it’s slightly extracted, but opens up nicely with time in the glass and will benefit from a year or two in the cellar. It should drink nicely through 2027. Note, this is the last vintage where the blend will include Syrah.” 90 points, Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate - ## 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 - [2011](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2011-claret) - [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