2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

Matthews Cabernet Sauvignon is a Washington-born nod to the classic left bank blends of Bordeaux and Medoc. An incredibly selective blending process allows us to produce a wine that is structured, but remarkably balanced. Simultaneously elegant and fun, you can think of this as a wine that looks flawless in a tux, but isn’t afraid to loosen the tie, roll up the sleeves, and throw down on the dance floor. Cabernet Sauvignon leads the way, with Cabernet Franc and a touch of Merlot rounding out the blend and smoothing any rough edges. Beautiful, explosive aromatics announce the wine before you even pour it, and that opulence is replicated in the dense, vibrant mouthfeel. This is a really fun wine to drink, but it won’t beat you up with too much tannin.

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"Fresh crushed flowers and sappy nuances, as well as baked berry-biscuit aromas, leading to a palate that has a lithe and succulent texture and plenty of sustained berry flavor. Drink in the next five years."

91 points - James Suckling, jamessucling.com

Tasting Notes

Plum jam, black currants, cassis and vanilla. With air, swirling brings dark baking spices mixed with strawberry puree and dried Applewood. The palate is fleshy with dark brooding fruits and a hint of crème brûlée. Cabernet that is vibrant with firm structure, while maintaining a fresh and composed profile.

Scores & Reviews

"Cocoa nib, black cherry, raspberry and black licorice aromas lead to ripe, rich, action-packed flavors that bring a sense of volume. It's a sure-fire, crowd-pleasing, riper-style Cabernet."
90 points - Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast

"Good dark red. Cherry, raspberry and licorice aromas are lifted by a floral quality. On the palate, pliant red fruit, red licorice and spice flavors are nicely framed by integrated acidity. A step up in density from the Merlot and a bit leafy as well, due partly to the sweetening influence of some new oak. Finishes with ripe, building tannins and dusty brown spices. Pretty serious for a $30 Cabernet but this wine should also be approachable early."
90 points - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous

Wine Facts

Appellation:

Columbia Valley

Vineyard(s):

Stillwater Creek Vineyard, Dionysus Vineyard, Bacchus Vineyard, Canyons Vineyard, Hedges Vineyard, Angela’s Vineyard, Blue Mountain Vineyard

Varietal Composition:

89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot

Aging:

72% concrete, 28% stainless steel, aged in 60% new French oak for 21 months

Alcohol:

14.4%

Cases Produced:

257

Drinkability:

Now-2026

Trade Materials

Download:

2016 Matthews Cab Sauv - Market Tech Sheet

2016 Matthew Cab Sauv - Bottle Shot

Additional Information about this vintage

Vinification This wine was fermented mostly in concrete tanks with a very small amount was fermented in stainless steel and aged in 60% new French oak for 21 months. The Matthews Cabernet Sauvignon is meant to have ripe but complex aromatics and a more compressed palate. In contrast to something like the Tenor Cabernet, which has more volume and flesh, it will have more tension and grip, while also having some serious verve and vibrancy. The addition of 7% Cabernet Franc adds aromatic complexity and slightly dryer tannin that helps with length and persistence.

2016 Vintage The past several years have seen temperatures get hotter and hotter, the difference in 2016 was that there was extremely early budbreak throughout the state, meaning temperatures were warm from the get–go. That being said, temperatures did not peak as high as 2015. Early spring was warmer, so it looked like it might be a scorcher, but then it stayed moderate. If you look at the technical data for 2016, growing degrees seemed high, but that doesn’t consider a longer growing season. This stretched out growing season saw cooler temperatures in the fall, which can be described as Napa Valley style weather.