Cabernet Sauvignon  2020

MATCHBOOK WINES

Cabernet Sauvignon
2020

Country
United States
Regulated designation
American Viticultural Areas (AVA)
Region
California
Subregion
Yolo, Dunnigan Hills
Varietal(s)
Cabernet Sauvignon 77 %
Petit Verdot 13 %
Malbec 8 %
Petite Sirah 2 %
Alcohol percentage
13.9%
Colour
Red
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 estate grown grapes were gently crushed and fermented in small temperature controlled stainless-steel tanks. A portion of the Cabernet grapes were co-fermented with Petite Sirah and another with Petit Verdot to intensify texture, body and structure. We used a combination of specially selected yeast to enhance color and flavor extraction without harsh tannins. We pumped the tanks over several times a day until nearly dry, then pressed and aged the wine in a combination of French, Hungarian and American oak barrels for 12 months. The best barrel lots were chosen for the final blend to showcase of the quality fruit grown in the red gravel soils of Dunnigan Hills.

Tasting notes

The wine opens with classic Cabernet aromas of chocolate, tobacco, violets and leather. Plush flavors of blackberry, black cherry and mocha are backed with sweet oak and vanilla. The juicy texture is mouth filling and mingles with the fine, dusty tannins in the finish.

Press reviews

 Wine Enthusiast

- 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.  

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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com

- 92 points -

October 2021

This wine displays aromas and flavors of black fruit, dried leaves, and oak. Serve it with grilled beef.

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Critics Challenge

- 92 points -

GOLD MEDAL

Michael Cervin, July 2020 (Vintage 2018)

 A more subtle and expressive cab, with muted acidity and tight tannins.

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 Wine Enthusiast

- 91 points -

October 2020

This 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.

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 Wine Enthusiast

- 90 points -

BEST BUY

October 2018

This 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.

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 Wine Enthusiast

- 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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