---
title: 2020 Horse Heaven Hills Claret
date: 2026-06-23T03:53:00-07:00
canonical_url: "https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/horse-heaven-hills/horse-heaven-hills-claret/2020-horse-heaven-hills-claret"
section: Wines
---
![Horse Heaven Hills Claret](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2133_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Claret-HorseHeavenHills-2020.png)  [ $65/Bottle | Buy Now ](https://shop.avalle.us/product/2020-matthews-horse-heaven-hills-claret) 

 

 

   The 2020 Matthews Horse Heaven Hills Claret is a blend of AVA-focused Bordeaux varietals coming from several small vineyard parcels, mostly within the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Hand-harvested in the fall, it was hand-sorted and fermented using stainless steel (92%) and French oak barrels (8%). The free-run juice was aged in French oak (96% new) for 22 months. Only 24 barrels were ultimately selected for this blend, which was bottled in July of 2022, producing only 599 cases.

Tasting Notes

The 2020 Matthews Horse Heaven Hills Claret shows a deep ruby to dense purple color in the glass. Expressive aromas of cola, sandalwood, dried flowers, bramble fruit and blueberry fruit leather lead to flavors of candied hibiscus, cacao nib, wild mountain blueberry and toasty oak. Balanced acidity, body, and palate-coating fine-grained tannins on the finish, with fall spices and black fruits.

 

 

   ![Horse Heaven Hills Claret](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2133_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Claret-HorseHeavenHills-2020.png)  [ $65/Bottle | Buy Now ](https://shop.avalle.us/product/2020-matthews-horse-heaven-hills-claret) 

 

 

Varietal Composition

68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 8% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot

 

Vinification

Fermented in 92% stainless steel, 8% French oak barrels. Aged 22 months in 96% new French oak, 4% French oak.

 

Alcohol

14.5%

 

Cases Produced

599

 

Drinkability

Now - 2033

 

Trade Materials

- [ Bottle Shot  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Claret-HorseHeavenHills-2020.jpg)
- [ Front Label  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/2020_Claret_HHH_Front_COLA.jpg)
- [ Back Label  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/2020_Claret_HHH_Back_COLA.jpg)
- [ Tech Sheet  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/2020-Matthews-Horse-Heaven-Hills-Claret-Consumer-Tech-Sheet_2023-01-09-172935_wpec.pdf)
 
 

 

 

 

  ## Awards & Accolades

- “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.”
    
    -93 points, Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com
- 

 

  

 ## 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)  

 Past Vintages

##  Explore the Horse Heaven Hills Claret Vintages 

- [2021](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/horse-heaven-hills/horse-heaven-hills-claret/2021-horse-heaven-hills-claret)
- 2020
 
 

  

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