Matchbook Chardonnay is aged in a combination of older barrels and brand-new oak to achieve the right balance of tropical fruit, cream and vanilla.
90 Points from Wine Enthusiast: "This rich and oaky wine offers plenty of butterscotch, ginger and nutmeg flavors on a full body. It's very concentrated in flavor and balanced to the soft side." A TOP 100 BEST BUY OF 2022
The 2020 vintage of Matchbook Chardonnay is notable for the rich fruit flavors that developed over the long growing season. The color is classic California golden straw. The flavors are full of the tropical notes that have become a signature of our Dunnigan Hills Chardonnay: pineapple, mango, melon, and papaya. 60% malolactic fermentation adds a creamy texture; oak aging adds a touch of vanilla and crème brûlée. This delicious Chardonnay has a satisfyingly plump mouthfeel that is balanced by the crisp, fresh fruit that lingers in the finish.
Winemaker Notes
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. We used yeast “cocktails”
(a mixture of our winemaker’s favorite compatible yeasts) on all lots to allow
complex fermentation characters to evolve. 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 its sweet fruit characters.
Pairings
Pair this easy drinking Chardonnay with buttery scallops, grilled chicken, or pasta with a cream sauce.