Matthews Wine at Flickinger Wines

Qty	Wine	Subtotal

0	Order Subtotal	$0.00

Producer

Vint.

Wine

Price

Qty

Order

USA Red

Matthews

2010

Blackboard Colombia Valley Red Wine

$15

2011

Blackboard Colombia Valley Red Wine

$15

VM 88 (12/2013): (15.4% alcohol; 54% cabernet sauvignon, 28% syrah, 6% each merlot and cabernet franc, 4% petit verdot and 2% malbec): Medium red. Aromas of strawberry, plum and chocolate. Silky and pliant on entry, then moderately concentrated and seamless in the middle, with plum and spicecake flavors complicated by vanilla and cola notes. A rather polite blend, especially in light of its high alcohol, finishing with soft tannins and moderate grip. Stephen Tanzer.

2012

Blackboard Colombia Valley Red Wine

$15

VM 89 (12/2014): Bright medium red. Ripe, dark aromas and flavors of black raspberry, blackberry, dark chocolate and smoke. A spicy, juicy midweight in a Saint-Emilion style. Firm tannins and lively acidity will not get in the way of enjoying this wine now. Stephen Tanzer.

WA 89 (6/2015): The 2012 Blackboard Red is a kitchen-sink blend of 33% Syrah, 26% Cabernet Franc, 18% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Malbec. Vinified in stainless steel and aged 16 months in once- and twice-used French oak, it’s a rock-solid effort that gives up plenty of ripe black fruits, peppery herbs and graphite in a medium to full-bodied, fruit-driven, fresh and easy-drinking style. Drink it over the coming 4-5 years.

2006

Colombia Valley Claret

$25

VM 88 (12/2009): Dark red. Expressive aromas and flavors of currant, plum, tobacco, graphite and chocolatey oak. Supple and juicy, with moderate sweetness and flesh. Slightly tart acidity gives shape and lift to this blend, which finishes with dusty, building, oak-driven tannins. Stephen Tanzer.

2010

Colombia Valley Claret

$25

VM 90 (12/2013): Good dark red. Subdued but complex nose hints at redcurrant, mocha, graphite, brown spices and tomato leaf. Silky and fine-grained on entry, the mellow in the middle, with attractive oak-driven notes of sassafras and cola to go with the red fruits. Not overly sweet but quite mellow. This is just under 15% alcohol but I would not have guessed it. Stephen Tanzer.

2011

Colombia Valley Claret

$25

VM 90 (12/2014): (a Bordeaux blend based on 68% Merlot; the objective here is elegance, while the flagship red is more about structure, according to winemaker Aryn Morell): Full, bright, deep red. Sexy aromas of black raspberry, mocha, licorice, tar and tobacco. At once smooth and tight-grained, with intense black fruit-dominated flavors showing very good grip. Carries nicely on the finish, which features broad tannins, firm acidity and suave oak treatment. I like this style. Stephen Tanzer.

2015

Colombia Valley Claret

$25

JD 91 (4/2018): The 2015 Claret checks in as a 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc and the rest Malbec and Petit Verdot which spent 20 months in 51% new French oak. Cassis, blueberries, leafy herbs, and liquid flower notes all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, lively, fresh, elegant blend that shines for its purity and sheer drinkability. These Matthews releases are made by Aryn Morell, who has a hand in a number of top wines in this report. (Drink between 2018-2028)

2015

Colombia Valley Reserve Claret

$55

JD 94 (4/2018): The 2015 Claret Reserve 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.

2016

Colombia Valley Reserve Claret

$55

JD 93 (4/2019): The flagship 2016 Claret Reserve is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot that spent 26 months in 65% new French oak. Its saturated purple color gives way to a medium to full-bodied, pure, incredibly classy wine that has textbook cassis, blueberry, charcoal, and spring flower aromas and flavors. With some background oak, terrific balance, and a pure, balanced style, it's another seamless 2016 that does everything right.

2010

Colombia Valley Reserve Red Wine

$40

VM 91 (12/2013): Bright dark. Perfumed aromas of red- and blackcurrant, black cherry, licorice and musky mocha. Smooth and fine-grained, offering superb tactile concentration to its flavors of currant, blackberry, licorice and dark chocolate. Plenty of oak here but nicely balanced by fruit. Offers lovely sweetness and immediate appeal but this is more firmly structured than the 2010 claret, finishing with suave tannins and very good chewy grip. Built to age. Stephen Tanzer.

2010

Colombia Valley Reserve Red Wine

Bin-Soiled Label

$40

2011

Colombia Valley Reserve Red Wine

$40

WA 94 (6/2014): Even more impressive, with smoking raspberry, blackberry, spring flowers, toast and hints of licorice, the 2011 Reserve is medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated (especially in the vintage), layered and elegant, with fabulous purity and freshness. It too has ultra-fine tannin and impressive length on the finish. Made from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 6% Malbec and 6% Cabernet Franc that spent 19 months in 100% new French oak, it will shine through 2025.

2010

Colombia Valley Syrah

$20

VM 91+ (12/2013): (15.4% alcohol; aged in once-used puncheons and once-used barriques ): Saturated bright ruby. Very primary, dark aromas of blackberry, licorice and illegal resiny herbs, lifted by a high-pitched violet perfume. Dense, juicy and suave but quite tightly wound in the style of the vintage. Dark berry and bitter chocolate flavors work more savory than sweet. This very young, long wine finishes with very fine-grained, suave tannins and a hint of bitter chocolate. Stephen Tanzer.

2011

Colombia Valley Syrah

$20

VM 91 (12/2013): Saturated medium ruby. Blackberry, raspberry, licorice and exotic spicecake on the nose, with a faintly jammy quality. At once creamy and bright, with silky berry fruit framed by harmonious acidity and supported by good medicinal reserve. A bit warm throughout but this syrah has excellent creamy depth and finishes with suave tannins and lovely lingering sweetness. Stephen Tanzer.

1999

Yakima Valley Red Wine

$30

VM 88+ (10/2002): Saturated medium ruby. Intriguingly floral aromas of black raspberry, cherry cola, mocha, violet and sweet oak. Dense and rich but youthfully backward; in a distinctly muscular style and slightly warm with alcohol. A chunky wine that could use more fruit and verve. Quite tannic and a tad dry on the end.

USA White

Matthews

2018

Colombia Valley Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

$25

JD 90 (4/2020): Including 3% Semillon, the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve comes from the Boushey and Stillwater Creek vineyards. Offering Bordeaux blanc-like notes of lemon curd, mint, sappy flowers, and subtle rocky minerality, it's medium-bodied, has bright acidity, plenty of mid-palate depth and texture, and a clean finish. It’s going to keep for a solid 3-5 years. (Drink between 2020-2025)

2013

Sauvignon Blanc

$15

2017

Sauvignon Blanc

$15

2018

Sauvignon Blanc

$15

2012

Stillwater Creek Sauvignon Blanc

$15

VM 87 (12/2013): Pale, bright yellow. Candied lemon peel and pineapple on the nose, accented by pepper and herbs, not to mention some heat. Fat on entry, then some unabsorbed acidity clashes with the wine's glyceral texture. Will this wine settle down and harmonize in the bottle? Stephen Tanzer.