---
title: 2021 Royal Slope Claret
date: 2026-06-23T03:53:00-07:00
canonical_url: "https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/royal-slope/royal-slope-claret/2021-royal-slope-claret"
section: Wines
---
![Royal Slope Claret](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Claret-RoyalSlope-2021.jpg)  [ $90/Bottle | Buy Now ](https://shop.avalle.us/product/2021-matthews-royal-slope-claret) 

 

 

   The 2021 Matthews Royal Slope Claret is a meticulously crafted wine from several vineyard parcels within the Royal Slope AVA of the Columbia Valley. Key sites include Solaksen, Stillwater Creek, and Scarline Vineyards, allowing this Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend to showcase the diverse flavors and aromatic expressions of the region. The winemaking team collaborated with vineyard managers to limit yields, resulting in small, concentrated berries. Cool fall nights preserved freshness while enhancing flavor development. Hand-harvesting occurred in the early mornings of October.

At the winery, the fruit underwent cluster sorting, de-stemming, and berry-sorting. For maximum flavor extraction, the wine was fermented and kept in tank for 30+ days to extend the maceration time with the aim of encouraging deeper textural layering. After this extended maceration, the wine was cellared in various formats of new 100% new French oak. After 21 months of cellaring, 13 carefully blended barrels produced only 315 cases of this pure, vibrant, and intense Claret, which was bottled unfined and unfiltered. 8 different clones were used in the final blend: Cabernet Sauvignon clones 2, 4, 191, 337, Cabernet Franc clones 214, 327, Malbec clone 4, Merlot clone 15.

Tasting Notes

The 2021 Royal Slope Claret is a concentrated garnet in the glass with appealing aromatics of mountain blackberry, graphite, and ginger snaps. The medium to full bodied palate has coating ripe tannins and powerful flavors of dark cocoa, red and black cherries, and chaparral. The lengthy acidity finishes long with notes of dry cedar and aromatic bitters.

 

 

  ![Royal Slope Claret](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Claret-RoyalSlope-2021.jpg)  [ $90/Bottle | Buy Now ](https://shop.avalle.us/product/2021-matthews-royal-slope-claret) 

 

 

Varietal Composition

54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 7% Malbec

 

Vinification

Each parcel was hand-sorted from the vineyard, with gentle fermentation and extended maceration culminating over 30+ days. Cellared in 100% new French oak for 21 months

 

Alcohol

15.0%

 

Cases Produced

315

 

Drinkability

Now - 2040

 

Trade Materials

- [ Bottle Shot  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Claret-RoyalSlope-2021.jpg)
- [ Front Label  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/21RSCL-Front-Label.jpg)
- [ Back Label  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/21RSCL-Back-Label.jpg)
- [ Tech Sheet  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/M21RSCL-TS.pdf)
 
 

 

 

 

  ## Awards & Accolades

- “The amazing 2021 Matthews ‘Royal Slope Claret’ Red Wine is already drinking beautifully despite its youth. It comes off layered aromatically with baking spices, cocoa powder and shades of boysenberry puree on the nose. The palate is refined and smooth, showing good flavor density and solid underlying finesse. Flavors mocha, tar and black currants all meld together, finishing long with minerals, dark fruits and chocolate.”
    
    \- 95 points Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.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)  

 Past Vintages

##  Explore the Royal Slope Claret Vintages 

- 2021
- [2020](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/royal-slope/royal-slope-claret/2020-royal-slope-claret)
- [2019](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/royal-slope/royal-slope-claret/2019-royal-slope-claret)
 
 

  

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