MATCHBOOK WINES
Cabernet Sauvignon
2015
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...
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Production notes
Grapes were gently crushed and fermented in small temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. A special selection of yeast and native yeast were used to enhance color and flavor extraction without harsh tannins. Tanks were pumped over twice a day until nearly dry, then the wine was pressed and aged in a combination of French, Hungarian and American oak barrels for 14 months. The best barrel lots were chosen for this complex blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Petite Sirah to create a boldy flavored Dunnigan Hills wine.
Tasting notes
This elegant Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted entirely at the Matchbook Estate in the Dunnigan Hills of California. Every step from vine to the bottle was done on home turf and under the watchful eye of the Giguiere Family and Matchbook's winemakers. This wine shows a deep ruby color and displays aromas of toasted oak, tobacco, dark fruit, clove and nutmeg. Juicy, mouth-filling flavors of blackberry and dried cranberry are complemented by a lingering finish with firm tannins and a hint of spicy chocolate.
Press reviews
- 93 points -
January 2022 (Vintage 2020)This potent and rather compact wine shows excellent concentration and a quiet strength that comes out with time in the glass, as velvety tannins wrap around blueberries, dark chocolate and tobacco notes.
See detailed press review- 92 points -
October 2021This wine displays aromas and flavors of black fruit, dried leaves, and oak. Serve it with grilled beef.
See detailed press review- 92 points -
GOLD MEDAL
Michael Cervin, July 2020 (Vintage 2018)A more subtle and expressive cab, with muted acidity and tight tannins.
See detailed press review- 91 points -
October 2020This is a brawny, full-bodied and firmly tannic wine that’s nevertheless seductive, complex and layered. A dark color and impressions of tobacco, black currant and sage make it delicious to sip.
See detailed press review- 90 points -
BEST BUY
October 2018This wine blends subtle spices with rich fruit for a seductive flavor profile. It maintains a velvety texture on the palate and through the lingering finish. Flavors of blueberry and baking spice give it plenty of personality. Best Buy.
See detailed press review- 90 points -
#87 Top 100 Best Buy 2021
Jim Gordon, September 2021 (Vintage 2019)This full-bodied and moderately tannic wine is well-packed with ripe blackberries and blueberries on a velvety, mouthcoating texture. Good concentration and ripeness bring a warm, rich impression to the palate
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