MATCHBOOK WINES
Chardonnay
2011
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
The 2011 growing season was much like the 2010 in the Dunnigan Hills AVA. Cooler than normal temperatures and very little wind allowed us to ripen our grapes slowly, allowing maximum flavor and intensity.
Production notes
Six different clones of chardonnay were used in this wine and all were picked at night and delivered to the winery before sunrise to ensure that fresh cool grapes were crushed. Clone 809 (the most exotic clone) was cold tank fermented to enhance its Muscat character. The other lots were barrel fermented and periodically lees stirred. Yeast “cocktails” (a mixture of the winemaker’s favorite compatible yeasts) were used on all lots to ensure complex fermentation characters would evolve in the wine. Chardonnay from the Matchbook Vineyard was blended with a small percentage of Russian River Valley chardonnay to balance the acidity and add characters of intense pippin apples and floral spice.
Tasting notes
Beautiful aromas of apple butter, sweet oak, mango and orange blossom are backed up by flavors of honeydew melon, crème brûlée, crisp apple and honey. All are balanced by a good dose of citrus zest and a crisp, mineral finish. Enjoy this Chardonnay with rotisserie chicken salad or Burrata with grilled peaches. Matchbook Chardonnay is always the Giguiere family choice for Thanksgiving dinner.