--- title: 2012 Reserve Claret date: 2026-06-23T03:52:00-07:00 canonical_url: "https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-claret/2012-reserve-claret" section: Wines --- ![Reserve Claret](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2133_crop_center-center_82_line/2012-Matthews-Reserve-Claret-Bottle-Shot.png) Sold Out The Reserve Claret is blended form a small subset of our most select barrels (Cabernet, Merlot and Cab Franc only). It undergoes a slightly cooler, slightly longer fermentation to achieve more compression, more density, more complexity. It also spends a little more time in barrel—19-21 months—to achieve the profile we’re looking for. Tasting Notes A heady mixture of smoke, fresh red berries, plum skin, Asian spices, and a wisp of mint and sage. A gorgeous perfume leads to a fleshy wine with fine tannins, a firm but fresh profile, and a tremendous amount of restraint. This wine is meant for ageing but has loads of fruit and would drink great early from a decanter. Food Pairing Recommendations Ribeye, coq au vin, duck, braised lamb, cassoulet, steak frites or Alaskan salmon. ![Reserve Claret](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2133_crop_center-center_82_line/2012-Matthews-Reserve-Claret-Bottle-Shot.png) Varietal Composition 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot Vinification Aged in 67% new and 33% once used French oak Alcohol 14.5% Cases Produced 225 Drinkability Now-2030 Trade Materials - [ Bottle Shot ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/2012-Matthews-Reserve-Claret-Bottle-Shot.jpg) ## Awards & Accolades - “I think more balanced than the Claret, the 210-case 2012 Columbia Valley Reserve checks in as a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc and 11% Merlot that saw 20 months in 67% new French oak. It’s full-bodied, elegant and seamless, with lively notes of cassis, leafy herbs, spring flowers and licorice all showing in the bouquet. I love the purity of fruit here, and this is a classic Washington State Bordeaux blend that will have 15-20 years of longevity.” 93 points, Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate - - “Firm, focused, generous and expressive, layering cherry and red plum flavors with mineral and smoky earth notes, coming together with refinement on the solidly built finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Best after 2017. 225 cases made.” 91 points, Harvey Steinman, Wine Spectator - “This wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (78%), with the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Aromas of barrel spice, cedar, green herbs and black fruit are followed by tightly coiled fruit and barrel flavors that need some time to settle in.” 90 points, Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast - ## 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) Past Vintages ## Explore the Reserve Claret Vintages - [2022](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-claret/2022-reserve-claret) - [2021](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-claret/2021-reserve-claret) - [2020](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-claret/2020-reserve-claret) - [2019](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-claret/2019-reserve-claret) - [2018](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-claret/2018-reserve-claret) - [2017](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-claret/2017-reserve-claret) - [2016](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-claret/2016-reserve-claret) - [2015](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-claret/2015-reserve-claret) - [2014](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-claret/2014-reserve-claret) - [2013](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-claret/2013-reserve-claret) - 2012 - [2011](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-claret/2011-reserve-claret) - [2010](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-claret/2010-reserve-claret) ## 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) - [ ![Reserve Claret](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2026_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Reserve_Claret-Columbia-2018_2021-09-21-010629_slnr.png) ### Reserve Claret ](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-claret/2018-reserve-claret) - [ ![Reserve Cuvée](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2026_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Reserve_Cuvee-2018_2021-09-23-200110_hpxi.png) ### Reserve Cuvée ](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve/2018-reserve-cuv%C3%A9e) [ 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