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

 

 

   The 2021 Matthews Royal Slope Cuvée is a meticulously crafted wine from several vineyard parcels within the Royal Slope AVA of the Columbia Valley. Key sites include Stoneridge, Solaksen, and Scarline Vineyards, allowing this Merlot-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 354 cases of this pure, vibrant, and intense Cuvée, which was bottled unfined and unfiltered. 7 different clones were used in the final blend: Merlot clone 15, Cabernet Sauvignon clones 2, 4, 191, Cabernet Franc clones 214, 327, Malbec clone 4.

Tasting Notes

The 2021 Royal Slope Cuvée is a deep crimson in the glass with pretty aromatics of guava, red currant, dried flowers, and wet stone. The full-bodied palate showcases flavors of huckleberry pie, dark coffee, and earthy minerals. The sappy mouthfeel is accented by pillowy tannins and a delicious finish of raspberry liqueur and cacao nib.

 

 

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

 

 

Varietal Composition

53% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 8% 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

305

 

Drinkability

Now - 2036

 

Trade Materials

- [ Bottle Shot  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Cuvee-RoyalSlope-2021.jpg)
- [ Front Label  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/21RSCU-Front-Label.jpg)
- [ Back Label  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/21RSCU-Back-Label.jpg)
- [ Tech Sheet  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/M21RSCU-TS.pdf)
 
 

 

 

 

  ## Awards & Accolades

- “The really good Merlot dominant 2021 Matthews ‘Royal Slope Cuvee’ Red Wine offers garrigue and blackberry notes on the nose alongside shades of tar, with stony undercurrents. The palate is soft and enticing with good richness and a seamless texture. Layered with its core of dense dark fruits, tobacco leaf and coffee grounds, this is a beautiful showing that is already drinking nicely at the two year mark. Savor this beauty now and over the next ten years to come.”
    
    \- 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 Cuvée Vintages 

- 2021
- [2020](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/royal-slope/royal-slope-cuv%C3%A9e/cuv%C3%A9e)
- [2019](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/royal-slope/royal-slope-cuv%C3%A9e/2019-royal-slope-cuv%C3%A9e)
 
 

  

 [  Back ](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines)---

  Open scroll-to-section menu - [ Overview  ](#tech-specs)
- [ Accolades  ](#accolades)
- [ Vineyards  ](#vineyards)
 
 

 

##  Scroll To 

- [ Overview ](#tech-specs)
- [ Accolades ](#accolades)
- [ Vineyards ](#vineyards)
 
  Close dialog