"Opulent and plush, this delectable chardonnay shows gorgeous aromas of apricot, vanilla custard, mango and cedar on the nose followed by a concentrated palate that is fleshy and silky. The wine delivers waves of delicious flavours, finishing superbly long and creamy. At its best: now to 2020" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jul 2018

"Bright, light golden yellow colour with some depth, a little lighter on the edge. The nose is full, broad and rich with a firm core of well-packed aromas of ripe tropical fruits and stonefruits entwined with a layering of creamy barrel-ferment, nutty lees and toasty oak, harmoniously intermixed with subtle lemon-curd MLF notes. Fullish bodied, the palate is rich and lush with sweetly ripe flavours of tropical fruits and yellow stonefruits harmoniously melded with creamy barrel ferment, nutty lees and oak, toasty hints and lemon-curd and butterscotch MLF. The flavours are well integrated and mouthfilling forming a fulsome core, underlined by some alcoholic power. The acidity is soft, adding to the richness, the wine appearing a little unctuous, even. The wine carries to a soft, nutty finish. This is a rich and rounded Chardonnay with harmonious citrus fruit, creamy and nutty oak and subtle MLF detail on a palate with presence and power. Match with roasted pork and veal over the next 3-4 years. Clones 4, 7, 95, 76, 124 and 809, 75% barrel-fermented, with 25% (the clone 809) in tank to 13.9% alc., with 90% of the wine barrel-aged 8 months in French, American and Hungarian oak, 22% new, undergoing batonnage. 40,000 cases made" Raymond Chan, Sep 2018

"This wine from Matchbook has been improving steadily over recent vintages and now it's taken a big step toward more finesse and less flash. A very soothing mouthfeel and generous, but not overt, flavours make a great combination in this creamy, yummy and full-bodied wine. It has everything from toasty oak and lemon curd to mild marzipan nuances that interlace with good acidity for a balanced palate and a lingering finish" Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Apr 2018

Luscious with rich tropical fruit characters, the 2016 Estate Bottled Old Head Chardonnay is a showcase wine for the Dunnigan Hills terroir. This straw colored Chardonnay has tropical aromas of mango and melon complemented by hints of toasty oak. Flavours of crème brûlée are mellowed by pineapple, pear and ripe melon. An opulent Chardonnay that is balanced by a lingering fruit-driven finish with lovely notes of butter and toasted marshmallow.

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 first vineyard. By 1993, they had succeeded in creating the Dunnigan Hills as 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 climate.

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. Clone 809 (the most exotic clone) was fermented in stainless steel tanks to retain the honeysuckle and orange blossom characters. The other clones were barrel fermented and received 100% aging in a combination of French, hybrid American and Hungarian oak barrels. We 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. We stirred the lees twice a month for eight months to enhance texture and flavour.

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