Matchbook Dunnigan Hills Old Head Chardonnay 2018 (California)

Matchbook Dunnigan Hills Old Head Chardonnay 2018 (California)Baked apricot Butterscotch Vanilla Toasted oak "Wonderfully ripe and immediately appealing, the bouquet shows golden peach, baked fig, nougat and subtle butterscotch characters. It's succulent, supple and creamy on the palate with excellent mid palate weight, combined with silky texture and refreshing acidity, finishing long and satisfying. At its best: now to 2022" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Apr 2020 The 2018 vintage is true to the Matchbook Chardonnay

• Baked apricot
• Butterscotch
• Vanilla
• Toasted oak

"Wonderfully ripe and immediately appealing, the bouquet shows golden peach, baked fig, nougat and subtle butterscotch characters. It's succulent, supple and creamy on the palate with excellent mid-palate weight, combined with silky texture and refreshing acidity, finishing long and satisfying. At its best: now to 2022" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Apr 2020

The 2018 vintage is true to the Matchbook Chardonnay signature style: a delicious balance of fruit and toasty oak. This new vintage opens with enticing aromas of apricot, butterscotch and honey. The stone fruit flavours follow through on the palate, layered over luscious crème brûlée, vanilla, toasted oak and butter. There is a nice weight to the wine that leads to a long, lingering finish. Our Old Head, Estate Bottled Chardonnay is a showcase for the Dunnigan Hills terrior. 

Six different clones of Chardonnay were artfully blended to create this wine. All the grapes were picked at night and delivered to the winery before sunrise to ensure the fruit was crushed when cool. The barrel fermented lots were lees stirred twice a month to enhance texture and mouthfeel. Most of the tank fermented lots were barreled down to complete aging. The Musqué clone 809 was tank fermented where it remained to hold on to all of its special fruit characters. Winemakers used yeast “cocktails” (a mixture of our winemaker’s favorite compatible yeasts) on all lots to allow complex fermentation characters to evolve in the wine.

East of Napa, Left of Center: The Giguiere family embodies Dunnigan Hills winemaking. In 1981 they pioneered grape-growing in this region when they planted their very first vineyard. By 1993 they’d succeeded in making the Dunnigan Hills a nationally recognized American appellation. The Matchbook flame is an homage to the Giguiere brothers’ youthful fascination with fire. Today Matchbook Wine Company produces over 15 wines showcasing the varietals that perform best in our warm, dry climate.

Food Pairing: Enjoy this wine on its own or paired with panko crusted salmon, roasted pine nut chicken or wild mushroom risotto.