---
title: 2020 Cuvée
date: 2026-06-23T03:53:00-07:00
canonical_url: "https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/cuvée/2020-cuvée"
section: Wines
---
![Cuvée](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2133_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Cuvee-ColumbiaValley-2020.png)  

 

 

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The 2020 Matthews Cuvée comes from several small vineyard parcels within Columbia Valley, namely key sites in Horse Heaven Hills, White Bluffs, 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. The wine was cellared in French oak barrels for an average of 18 months. Carefully blended by the winemaking team, only 20 barrels were selected, and finally bottled in May of 2022.

Tasting Notes

Concentrated strawberry and herbs, dried currant and caramelized sugar. Swirling the glass adds layers of raspberry, plum skin, subtle spice and lightly roasted coffee. The palate has great finesse with fresh red fruits, textural polish, and is buffered by incredibly tactile tannins that release at the right moment. A merlot-dominant blend we love making each year, and 2020 was no exception.

 

 

   ![Cuvée](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2133_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Cuvee-ColumbiaValley-2020.png)  

 

 

Varietal Composition

80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot

 

Vinification

Fermented in 100% stainless steel tanks. Aged for 20 months in French oak barrels.

 

Alcohol

14.6%

 

Cases Produced

500

 

Drinkability

Now - 2032

 

Trade Materials

- [ Tech Sheet  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/2020-Matthews-Columbia-Valley-Cuvee-Tech-Sheet_2023-02-09-012052_odws.pdf)
- [ Bottle Shot  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/Shore-Matthews-Cuvee-2020.png)
- [ Front Label  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/CVCU_Front-Label_2022-07-06-162510_ijsj.jpg)
- [ Back Label  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/CVCU_Back-Label_2022-07-06-162554_zcac.jpg)
 
 

 

 

 

  ## Awards & Accolades

- “Blackberries, tobacco leaves, bitter chocolate and green espresso beans on the nose. Full-bodied, with dusty tannins and a dark, ashy note. 80% merlot, 10% cabernet franc, 5% malbec and 5% petit verdot. Drink now.”
    
    \- 89 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
- 

 

  

 ## Vineyards

 ![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)    ![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) 

  

 Past Vintages

##  Explore the Cuvée Vintages 

- [2022](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/cuv%C3%A9e/2022-cuv%C3%A9e)
- [2021](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/cuv%C3%A9e/2021-columbia-valley-cuv%C3%A9e)
- 2020
- [2019](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/cuv%C3%A9e/2019-cuv%C3%A9e)
- [2018](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/cuv%C3%A9e/2018-cuv%C3%A9e)
- [2017](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/cuv%C3%A9e/2017-cuv%C3%A9e)
- [2016](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/cuv%C3%A9e/2016-cuv%C3%A9e)
 
 

  ## Related Wines

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       ](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2020-claret)
- [    ![Cabernet Sauvignon](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2133_crop_center-center_82_line/Shore-Matthews-CabSauv-2020_2022-06-21-225532_jbvi.png)  ### Cabernet Sauvignon
    
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