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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Product notes

Matchbook Estate vineyard soils are predominantly Corning red gravel – great for optimum vine balance & flavor concentration. They extensively experiment with new trellising systems to produce smaller clusters and berries with intense color and varietal flavors. Their vineyards are sustainably farmed and they use deficit irrigation to improve flavors intensity, conserve water and create an ideal growing environment for the vines.

Production notes

These Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were harvested in the cool early mornings and delivered from the estate vineyards to the winery in less than 30 minutes. Vineyard lots are fermented and aged separately and then blended to craft delicious wines with great structure and layered flavors. The grapes were gently crushed and fermented in small, temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. A combination of specially selected yeast was used to enhance color and flavor extraction without harsh tannins. Wine was aged in a combination of French, Hungarian and American oak barrels for 12 months.

Tasting notes

The 2018 Matchbook Cabernet Sauvignon opens with enticing aromas of saddle leather, cigar box and mesquite. The mouth-coating flavors of blackberry, black cherry, clove and star anise linger in the long finish. This is a substantial Cabernet with big chewy tannins that will pair well with the big flavors of a slow roasted prime rib, a hearty beef stew or a sizzling New York strip steak.