--- title: 2020 Claret date: 2026-06-23T03:53:00-07:00 canonical_url: "https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2020-claret" section: Wines --- ![Claret](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2133_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Claret-ColumbiaValley-2020_2022-10-07-193619_ivec.png) Sold Out The 2020 Matthews Claret comes from several small vineyard parcels within Columbia Valley, namely key sites on Red Mountain, Horse Heaven Hills, and the Royal Slope. Harvested in the early fall mornings of 2020, it was sorted and fermented in the winery using both concrete and stainless steel tanks. The wine was cellared in French oak barrels for an average of 18 months. Carefully blended by the winemaking team, only 193 barrels were selected, and finally bottled in May of 2022. Tasting Notes Dark berries, bramble, and cola on the nose give way to a background of sandalwood and vanilla bean when swirled in the glass. A nice blend of red and black fruits play well with cocoa and black tea on the palate. Polished tannins and well-balanced acidity leave a lasting finish that intrigues. ![Claret](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2133_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Claret-ColumbiaValley-2020_2022-10-07-193619_ivec.png) Varietal Composition 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec Vinification Fermented in a combination of concrete and stainless steel. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. Alcohol 14.6% Cases Produced 4,924 Drinkability Now - 2032 Trade Materials - [ Tech Sheet ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/2020-Matthews-Columbia-Valley-Claret-Consumer-Tech-Sheet_2023-02-09-011408_djvx.pdf) - [ Bottle Shot ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/Shore-Matthews-Claret-2020.png) - [ Front Label ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/CVCL_Front-Label_2022-06-03-202351_gsxl.jpg) - [ Back Label ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/CVCL_Back-Label_2022-06-03-202359_etar.jpg) ## Awards & Accolades - “Aromas of cloves, dark cherries, blackcurrants, anise and spearmint. It’s full-bodied, firm and compact, with flavorful spicy and herbal layers. Chewy finish. 35% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot, 27% cabernet franc, 3% petit verdot and 1% malbec. Better from 2024.” -91 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com - - “This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (35%), Merlot (34%) and Cabernet Franc (27%), along with bits of Petit Verdot and Malbec. With fruit coming from Horse Heaven Hills, White Bluffs, Wahluke Slope and Royal Slope, appealing aromas of green pepper, herb and fresh black fruit lead to ripe, polished, pure, decadent black-fruit flavors. It shows a lot of intensity and richness. Chocolate notes linger on the very long finish. It’s flat-out delicious and an outrageous value to boot.” -93 points, Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast ## Vineyards ![Horse Heaven Hills](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/vineyardMaps/Map-Horse-Heaven-Hills-3_2_2022-09-20-174718_ndcj.svg)### Horse Heaven Hills Designated: 2005 Vineyards: 17,082 acres (6,912 hectares) Top Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc Average Annual Precipitation: 9 inches Soil: wind-blown sand, loess, Missoula Flood sediment, basalt bedrock Average Vine Age: 25yrs [Learn More](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/vineyards/horse-heaven-hills) ![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) ![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) 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 - [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](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) [ Back ](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines)--- Open scroll-to-section menu - [ Overview ](#tech-specs) - [ Accolades ](#accolades) - [ Vineyards ](#vineyards) ## Scroll To - [ Overview ](#tech-specs) - [ Accolades ](#accolades) - [ Vineyards ](#vineyards) Close dialog