--- title: 2015 Reserve Claret date: 2026-06-23T03:52:00-07:00 canonical_url: "https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-claret/2015-reserve-claret" section: Wines --- ![Reserve Claret](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2133_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Reserve_Claret-Columbia-2015.png) Sold Out The 2015 Matthews Reserve Claret was crafted from several small vineyard parcels across three separate AVAs in Washington State: Columbia Valley, Red Mountain, and the Walla Walla Valley. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot to create maximum concentration in each cluster. They were hand-harvested in the early morning in the fall of 2015. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and then fermented in either concrete (87%) or stainless steel (13%) tanks. Using only the free-run wine, it was then moved to custom French oak barrels (80% new) for 22 months of cellaring with over 40 individual evaluations by our winemaking team. The resulting barrels were bottled, without fining or filtration, in mid-June 2018, producing only 482 cases. Tasting Notes Red and black currants, smoke, spiced plum and black cherry. Swirling brings up red fruits and sandalwood. Fresh, but ripe, with bright fruit and good tension. Long and smooth tannins with a finish of plum, blackberry and vanilla bean spice. Food Pairing Recommendations Hearty beef stew with root vegetables ![Reserve Claret](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2133_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Reserve_Claret-Columbia-2015.png) Varietal Composition 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot Vinification Fermented in 87% concrete and 13% stainless steel tanks. Aged for 22 months in in 80% new French oak. Alcohol 14.4% Cases Produced 482 Drinkability Now-2028 Trade Materials - [ Tech Sheet ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/2015-Matthews-Reserve-Claret-Market-Tech-Sheet.pdf) - [ Bottle Shot ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Reserve_Claret-Columbia-2015.png) ## Awards & Accolades - “The 2015 Reserve Claret checks in as 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that saw more new oak, spending 22 months in 80% new barrels. Similarly, inky colored, with beautiful blue fruits, violets, cedar and incense aromatics, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, fine, polished tannin, and nicely integrated acidity. It's balanced, has beautiful purity, and a great finish.” 94 points, Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate - - “Polished and well-built, with a firm and lively backbone wrapped in rich black cherry, lead pencil and spice flavors that finish with big but refined tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2020 through 2025.” 92 points, Tim Fish, Wine Spectator ## 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 - [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](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-claret/2012-reserve-claret) - [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 - [ ![Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2026_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Reserve_CabSauv-2018.png) ### Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/reserve/reserve-cabernet-sauvignon/2018) - [ ![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) - [ ![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) [ 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