Matchbook Dunnigan Hills The Arsonist Chardonnay 2018 (California)

Matchbook Dunnigan Hills The Arsonist Chardonnay 2018 (California)American, French & Hungarian oak Baked pear & melon Butterscotch & brown sugar Smooth & scrumptious "Combining opulence with graceful sophistication, this is a stunning California Chardonnay filled with delectable flavours. The fragrant bouquet shows golden peach, vanilla, spicy oak and oatmeal characters with a light touch of citrus zest. The powerful, concentrated palate exhibits outstanding depth and layers rich texture, leading to a persistent

• American, French & Hungarian oak
• Baked pear & melon
• Butterscotch & brown sugar
• Smooth & scrumptious

"Combining opulence with graceful sophistication, this is a stunning California Chardonnay filled with delectable flavours. The fragrant bouquet shows golden peach, vanilla, spicy oak and oatmeal characters with a light touch of citrus zest. The powerful, concentrated palate exhibits outstanding depth and layers rich texture, leading to a persistent seamless finish. At its best: now to 2028" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, May 2021

"Bright, medium straw-yellow, even colour throughout. The nose is gently full with rich aromas of melon, citrus and suggestions of banana, entwined with subtle caramel, roasted cashews and clarified butter. Full-bodied, ripe fruit nuances of melon, banana and citrus hints enriched by roasted nuts, soft caramel and melded butter on baguette. The mouthfeel is creamy and abundant; fine-textured phenolics added details. Balanced acidity carries a smooth flow with a touch of sugar sweetness contributes to weight. Match with garlic butter prawns and roasted chicken over the next 3-4 years. Fruit was from Dunnigan Hills, barrel-fermented to 14.4% alc, frequent lees stirred, 100% MLF, best barrel selection. Final blend aged in 30% new oak, 27% second fill, 14% third fill, 29% neutral oak, in a mixture of French, Hungarian and Hybrid (American/Eastern European) oak" Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, Sep 2021

"A bold and richly scented bouquet with aromas of brazil nut and vanilla, roasted yellow stone fruits and baked pear. There’s a baked custard and brown spice scent adding power and intensity. On the palate - full-bodied, creamy, warm, balanced and flavourful. The tastes of custard and peach, vanilla and apple, pear and baking spices combine to complete this wine with great success. Balanced and well made with great drinking from 2021 through 2026" Cameron Doughlas, Master Sommelier, Dec 2021

Dense flavors of pear, mandarin and melon are layered over creamy butterscotch, brown sugar and barrel spice. The lingering finish is both crisp and unctuous. The Arsonist serves up the depth and richness you want in a big Chardonnay.

2018 delivered near perfect growing conditions in the Dunnigan Hills and the long, mild season is evident in The Arsonist Chardonnay. This luscious blend of our best barrel lots of estate-grown fruit shows our house style of extreme balance of fruit and oak.

We picked our Chardonnay clones 4 and 124 (Dijon) at night. The estate fruit went from vine to crusher in less than 30 minutes, arriving well before sunrise to ensure the fresh, fruit flavors were preserved. We used a yeast cocktail (a mixture of our winemaker’s favorite compatible yeasts) in all of the lots to ensure that complex fermentation characters evolved. These lots were barrel fermented, with frequent stirring of the lees. 100 % of the barrel lots went through malolactic fermentation. We then select 10 % of the finest barrel lots and allow them to age an additional five months while  aintaining a frequent stirring program. The barrels were evaluated again and only half of the original top 10 % were selected for the final blend of the 2018 Arsonist Chardonnay.

Food Pairing: Pair with lobster, shrimp scampi or chicken with a rich mustard sauce.