THE JEFFERSON CLUB - FEBRUARY 2020
This month, for Just A Taste’s Jefferson Club, we take a look at a young, much heralded organic producer from Napa Valley, Steve Matthiasson.
MATTHIASSON NAPA VALLEY RED 2012
Producer: Matthiasson
Winemaker: Steve Matthiasson
Region: USA, California, Napa Valley
Grape Varietal: 56% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot
Viticulture: multiple vineyards by varietal; combination of alluvial deposits, clay and pebbles, and volcanic; all organic
Method: 50% New French oak barrels for 20 months
Serving Suggestions: decant and serve at 60-65 F, serve with braised red meat
Age: drink 2020-2030
Nose: bright, red and black fruits, sweet, floral aromatics
Palate: medium-plus body with round, firm tannins and silky texture
Finish: perfumed fruit with hints of graphite and a long, persistent finish
Steve Matthiasson
Steve Matthiasson’s journey to wine started through a passion for gardening that developed while he attend philosophy courses in college before changing his graduate degree to horticulture. He first worked under a sustainable agriculture management company before starting his own consulting business. Today, he helps manage sustainable and organic practices for several vineyards around Napa and Sonoma while tending to his own certified organic vineyard and farm.
At only 3000 case production annually, Matthiasson flies under the radar for many people, but his quality and passion for his work has paid off in recent years. he was named Winemaker of the Year by San Francisco Chronicle & Food & Wine Magazine and in 2018 and 2019 was a James Beard Award finalist.
About the wine
“Matthiasson wines bear an agricultural stamp, as fresh, lively and alive as the best produce from a farmers’ market”
Matthiasson’s style of wine is considered more “classic,” focusing on preserving freshness and acidity while retaining lower alcohol than many of his neighbors. At his farm, you’ll find the classic Bordeaux varietals as well as some unique Northern Italian samples such as Ribolla Gialla and Tocai Friulano.
The wine is extremely expressive with generous floral tones of violets and lavender. The base of Merlot offers sweet red plum and blackberry notes wrapped in hints of cedar and tobacco. On the palate, the wine warms up swelling the perfumed intensity before curving off into spice and minerality all the while supported by ripe, but not overripe or extreme, fruit notes.
Recommended Drinking Window: 2020-2030