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Matthews

Two thousand twenty-two marks only the second vintage that winemakers Alex Stewart and Hal Iverson crafted the wines at both Matthews and Tenor, and I’m happy to say that it’s one hell of a follow-up to their inaugural vintage. As a reminder, Stewart and Iverson came to Matthews and Tenor in 2021 after an extended tenure at Quilceda Creek. Matthews proprietor Bryan Otis had a vision for how this team could completely rethink his family winery, so he gave them carte blanche to rebuild from the ground up. The 2021s were a smashing success, and it didn’t take long for the new team to make further strides with 2022, including the introduction of a lineup of single-vineyard Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnays, all made using the exact same practices in the cellar to amplify the importance of place over winemaking.

A few key points to make about Matthews and Tenor and the new style of the wines: For one thing, this team is not looking to replicate what they achieved at Quilceda Creek. The style here is one that focuses more on expressing verticality and dimension with a core of ripe Washington State fruit. It’s a compelling mix. The two portfolios are split up; Matthews focuses on blending varieties, while Tenor focuses on single-varietal interpretations. The Tenor wines are built more on energy, but Alex Stewart explains that that wasn’t necessarily their intention. “We select all of the Tenor barrels before blending the Matthews wines, so it's possibly something subconscious,” Stewart says. Either way, the two portfolios are very distinct from one another but both are equally appealing. The fruit for both brands runs the gamut of sources in the Columbia Valley, which is one of Bryan Otis’ strengths; he's currently seeking long-term contracts and planning for the future. As for the 2022s, they are some of the most balanced wines I’ve tasted from this vintage. Much of that has to do with the amount of time that this team spent working closely with their vineyard managers, which was essential in 2022. Hal Iverson explains, “Both 2020 and 2021 were low-yielding years, so some people felt compelled to leave extra fruit on the vines in 2022. Also, berry sizes were significantly impacted due to moisture in the soils during flowering. We insisted that our growers drop a lot of fruit.” Additionally, the team saignéed between 10-15% of each of the wines. Notably, harvest ended on November 9th, fatefully the day before a killing frost. This meant an extra month of hang time, which ensured phenolic maturity.

This is a profoundly sensual selection of wines that impress both with their lovely aromatics and silken textures, all while retaining a classic core of sweet tannins. Bryan Otis followed up, “The principle here is that there’s nothing more that we could have done to make the best possible wine in 2022.” Plainly stated, Matthews and Tenor continue to take things to the next level with a cohesive team of open-minded individuals who aren't afraid to reinvent the wheel.

From Better Late than Never: The 2022 Vintage in Washington State (Dec 2024) by Eric Guido

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2023 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve

Release Price: $75

Color: White

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