---
title: 2020 Royal Slope Cuvée
date: 2026-06-23T03:53:00-07:00
canonical_url: "https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/royal-slope/royal-slope-cuvée/cuvée"
section: Wines
---
![Royal Slope Cuvée](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2133_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Cuvee-RoyalSlope-2020.png)  [ $65/Bottle | Buy Now ](https://shop.avalle.us/product/2020-matthews-royal-slope-cuv-e) 

 

 

   The 2020 Matthews Royal Slope Cuvée comes from several vineyards within the Royal Slope AVA: Stillwater Creek, Solaksen, and Scarline. After hand-harvesting in the early fall mornings, the fruit was hand-sorted and fermented using both stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels. The free-run juice was cellared in French oak (60% new) for 20 months. Bottling took place in June of 2022, resulting in only 624 cases.

Tasting Notes

This Right Bank Bordeaux varietal blend shows deep garnet with a ruby rim in the glass. Pomegranate, tart cherry, dried leaves, and pencil shavings on the nose, followed by flavors of fresh forest floor, saddle leather, berries and cream. The mouthfeel is linear, with polished tannin and beautifully balanced acidity. The finish is long with cranberry, toasty oak, café au lait and hints of clove.

 

 

   ![Royal Slope Cuvée](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2133_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Cuvee-RoyalSlope-2020.png)  [ $65/Bottle | Buy Now ](https://shop.avalle.us/product/2020-matthews-royal-slope-cuv-e) 

 

 

Varietal Composition

64% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 12% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Vinification

Fermented in stainless steel barrels. Aged 21 months in new (60%) French oak.

 

Labeled Appellation

Royal Slope

 

Alcohol

14.7

 

Cases Produced

624

 

Drinkability

Now - 2033

 

Trade Materials

- [ Bottle Shot  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Cuvee-RoyalSlope-2020.jpg)
- [ Front Label  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/2020_Cuvee_RS_Other_COLA.jpg)
- [ Back Label  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/2020_Cuvee_RS_Brand_COLA.jpg)
- [ Tech Sheet  ](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/2020-Matthews-Royal-Slope-Cuv%C3%A9e-Consumer-Tech-Sheet.pdf)
 
 

 

 

 

  ## Awards & Accolades

- “The 2020 ‘Royal Slope Cuvée' is a beautiful blend of 64% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc and smaller parts Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Fresh mint, black currants, cigar box and dark chocolate shavings all fill the nose. The palate is very juicy and bright, with good underlying finesse. Finishing long with black fruits and minerals, savor this great Merlot dominant blend now and over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032.”
    
    \- 93 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](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/royal-slope/royal-slope-cuv%C3%A9e/2021-royal-slope-cuv%C3%A9e)
- 2020
- [2019](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/royal-slope/royal-slope-cuv%C3%A9e/2019-royal-slope-cuv%C3%A9e)
 
 

  ## Related Wines

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- [    ![Royal Slope Cuvée](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_640x2133_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Cuvee-RoyalSlope-2019_2022-03-07-222359_soqd.png)  ### Royal Slope Cuvée
    
       ](https://mwe-matthews.transom.dev/wines/royal-slope/royal-slope-cuv%C3%A9e/2019-royal-slope-cuv%C3%A9e)
 
 

 

  

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