Arsonist Red Blend
2017
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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The Petit Verdot for this blend is from three of the Matchbook Estate Vineyards in the Dunnigan Hills: Richie Ranch, Gemmer and Lederer. The Malbec comes entirely from Matchbook Estate’s Gemmer vineyard. Finally, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Sweetwater in Chalk Hill, Salley Vine Vineyard in Alexander Valley and Gemmer vineyard in Dunnigan Hills adds length and depth to the wine.
Blended and aged 24 months in a combination of French,American and European/American hybrid barrels, approximately 30% of which are new. The barrels were sourced as follows: Carpathian oak from Giraud cooperage and Trust Cooperage. The American oak from Cooperage is the 1912 “Profile Series.” Demptos hybrid American and European and French oak from Giraud Cooperage.
Anchored by Petit Verdot this robust red has loads of earthy leather and brambly fruit in the bouquet. The blend of three powerhouse reds delivers broad flavors of plum, blackberry, mocha and vanilla; barrel aging adds a nice dose of oak and a grip of tannin. The finish lingers with boysenberry and old-fashioned cigar box. This full-flavored red calls for a thick steak or a big prime rib.
Opaque, garnet color, rich plum nose, rich, chewy and intense; mostly Petit Verdot with Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, velvety texture with notes of chocolate, mocha and spice, dense and balanced.
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This wine is super concentrated and complex in its array of red and black fruit flavors, with subtle oak spices and a rich texture. A blend of Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, it has a mouthcoating effect and a lingering gorgeous finish.
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Aromatic, offering a compelling mix of cardamon, palo santo, iron, cedar, vanilla and campfire notes, with juicy, dense cherry and boysenberry flavors at the core. Plenty of harmony on the finish. Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now.
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This is a concentrated and truly dry Bordeaux-style blend that has a blackberry aroma and flavors of black cherry and dark chocolate. Firm tannins and good acidity give it plenty of structure, so it will easily stand up to steaks, chops and ribs. Made from Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.
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