Syrah  2014

MATCHBOOK WINES

Syrah
2014

Country
United States
Regulated designation
American Viticultural Areas (AVA)
Region
California
Subregion
Yolo, Dunnigan Hills
Varietal(s)
Syrah 77 %
Petite Sirah 23 %
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 grapes were gently crushed just 20 minutes after being harvested and then fermented in small temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. A combination of specially selected yeast and native yeast was used to enhance color and flavor extraction without harsh tannins. The tanks were pumped over twice a day until nearly dry, then pressed and aged the wine in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 20 months. Only the best barrel lots were chosen for the Estate Bottled Syrah. This complex and layered Dunnigan Hills wine is a blend of 77% Syrah and 23% Petite Sirah.

Tasting notes

The 2014 vintage is the first Estate Bottling for the Matchbook Syrah. It was crafted entirely from the Matchbook estate vineyards and winery. This native Rhone varietal offers earthy aromas of leather and plum and delivers flavors of black cherry, blueberry, dried fruit and truffles on the palate. This age-worthy Syrah has great acidity and a flavorful and lingering finish. Pair with beef short ribs, game dishes or a venison burger.

Press reviews

Vinous

- 90 points -

Ian D'Agata, September 2017 (Vintage 2016)

Bright golden yellow. Strong notes of vanilla and caramel complicate tropical fruit nuances on the nose. Then rich and ripe, with buttery and oaky flavors of orchard fruit and pineapple. Finishes broad and tactile with building oakiness. After last year’s more discreet Old World-styled mineral Chardonnay, this is a return to Planeta’s more typical Chardonnay style, one that harkens more to the New World. For those who like this style of buttery vanillin and tropical fruit-accented Chardonnay that will be just fine. 

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