---
title: 2018 Reserve Cabernet Franc
date: 2026-06-23T03:53:00-07:00
canonical_url: "https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-cabernet-franc/2018-reserve-cabernet-franc"
section: Wines
---
![Reserve Cabernet Franc](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2026_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Reserve_CabFranc-2018_2021-09-23-193152_fxpz.png)  

 

 

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The 2018 Matthews Reserve Cabernet Franc was crafted from several small vineyard parcels across four AVAs in Washington State: Columbia Valley, Red Mountain, Royal Slope and Walla Walla Valley. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were primarily limited to one cluster per shoot or three clusters per spur to create maximum concentration in each cluster. They were hand-harvested in the early fall mornings of 2018.  
  
Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and then fermented in either stainless steel (68%) or concrete (32%) tanks. Using only the free-run wine, it was then moved to 88% custom French oak barrels for 26 months of cellaring with over 40 individual evaluations by our winemaking team. The resulting 17 barrels were bottled, without fining or filtration, on February 24, 2021, producing only 415 cases.

Tasting Notes

Notes of black currants, red fruit, plum skin, graphite, and sweet baking spices. Swirling adds aromatics of bloomed spices, fresh plum purée, and dried herbs. The palate offers layered spice, black fruits, and a lifted floral note. Polished and structured with fine, accessible tannins, this wine showcases Washington State’s remarkable ability to develop Bordeaux varietals.

 

Food Pairing Recommendations

Grilled steak or portobello mushrooms

 

 

   ![Reserve Cabernet Franc](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2026_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Reserve_CabFranc-2018_2021-09-23-193152_fxpz.png)  

 

 

Varietal Composition

87% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Vinification

Fermented in 68% stainless steel 32% concrete. Aged for 26 months in 88% new French oak.

 

Alcohol

15.1%

 

Cases Produced

415

 

Drinkability

Now-2036

 

Trade Materials

- [ Tech Sheet  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/2018-Matthews-Reserve-Cab-Franc-Consumer-Tech-Sheet.pdf)
- [ Bottle Shot  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Reserve_CabFranc-2018.jpg)
 
 

 

 

 

  ## Awards & Accolades

- “Nearly all Cabernet Franc (87%), the 2018 Cabernet Franc Reserve was sourced from the Solaksen and Stillwater Creek vineyards. Herbal and well-balanced, it delivers straightforward black fruit flavors with good finesse and dried herbal notes plus hints of rose water.”
    
    92 points, Owen Bargreen, Vinous
- 

 

  

 ## 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)    ![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 Reserve Cabernet Franc Vintages 

- [2022](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-cabernet-franc/2022-reserve-cabernet-franc)
- [2021](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-cabernet-franc/2021-reserve-cabernet-franc)
- [2020](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-cabernet-franc/2020-reserve-cabernet-franc)
- [2019](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-cabernet-franc/2019-reserve-cabernet-franc)
- 2018
- [2017](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-cabernet-franc/2017-reserve-cabernet-franc)
 
 

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