Winemaker Notes
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. Pair this easy drinking Chardonnay with buttery scallops, grilled chicken, or pasta with a cream sauce.
Professional Ratings
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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.
Best Buy
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Mitigated by mild Sacramento River Delta breezes, the Dunnigan Hills appellation is in the northwest portion of Yolo County and has a Mediterranean climate.