MATCHBOOK WINES
Tinto Rey
2016
Country
United States
Regulated designation
American Viticultural Areas (AVA)
Region
California
Subregion
Yolo, Dunnigan Hills
Varietal(s)
Tempranillo
40 %
Syrah
33 %
Graciano
19 %
Cabernet Sauvignon
4 %
Tannat
4 %
Alcohol percentage
14.2%
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
Aging vessel type
French oak barrels
Length of aging
8 months
Total acidity
5.75 g/l
PH
3.48
Producer's website
About this winery
Why Matchbook? As a farm kid growing up in the late 1950´s and early 1960´s John Giguiere was a confirmed pyromaniac starting various things on fire such as his father´s wheat field. At one point, fearing total ruin from his kids burning him out of the house and farm, his father took them to the city jail for an hour stay to impress upon his brother and him the futility of their fascination with fire. John and his brother answered at a later date by graduating from random fires to the...
See the MATCHBOOK WINES detail page for more information on this brand
Production notes
The Verdejo was handpicked in whole-cluster pressed grapes and then moved into neutral barrels for fermentation. Following fermentation the wine was aged eight months in neutral French oak barrels. The vineyard stirred the lees during the aging process to enhance the wine’s richness.
Tasting notes
The 2016 Verdejo has aromas of citrus fruit and orange blossom with a hint of flinty minerality. On the palate the Tinto Rey Verdejo is bright and refreshing with a lovely grapefruit character. The unique step of barrel aging this wine in French neutral oak barrels makes it silky on the palate with well integrated flavors.
Press reviews
- 92 points -
GOLD
Rich Cook, July 2020 (Vintage 2016)An expressive glass that brings the black cherry and fall spice, delivered on a supple structure that's approachable now and will age gracefully.
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- 92 points -
February 2018 (Vintage 2016)Intriguing and complex, this full-bodied wine combines bright elements of orange zest and pineapple with richer flavors of toasted almond, salted peanuts and dried figs. It is ripe in feel, but good acidity lifts it up and keeps the taste refreshing through a long finish.
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- 90 points -
GREAT VALUE SCORE
November 2015 (Vintage 2012)A juicy flood of earth-to-cherry graphite. The strawberry-cinnamon-cherry fruit keeps whetting the palate with Old World acidity and a velvet sleekness. The cherry-chocolate finish is worth the ride for this blend of 50% Tempranillo, 27% Syrah, 11% Petit Verdot, 8% Graciano and 4% Tannat.
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- 89 points -
Jim Gordon, December 2014This blend of Tempranillo, Syrah and other varieties is medium to full bodied, nicely tannic and firm in texture. Bold in flavor, it tastes complete and well crafted without being too showy. The balance is dry and the flavors resemble cranberry and ripe cherry.
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