Matchbook Arsonist Red Blend 2018

  • 93 Tasting
    Panel
  • 91 Wilfred
    Wong
  • 91 Wine &
    Spirits
  • 90 Wine
    Spectator
3.9 Very Good (80)
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Matchbook Arsonist Red Blend 2018  Front Bottle Shot
Matchbook Arsonist Red Blend 2018  Front Bottle Shot Matchbook Arsonist Red Blend 2018  Front Label

Product Details


Varietal

Region

Producer

Vintage
2018

Size
750ML

ABV
13.9%

Your Rating

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Somm Note

Winemaker Notes

The 2018 Arsonist Red Blend is Matchbook's left of center take on the classic Bordeaux blend. Anchored by Petit Verdot the grace of the wine shows in an elegant bouquet of plum, raspberry and mocha. The blend of three powerhouse reds delivers full flavors of blackberry, cherry, chocolate and pepper spice; barrel aging adds a nice dose of vanilla oak. The finish lingers with dark fruit flavors, herbs and old-fashioned saddle leather.

This is a big-flavored wine that pairs well with the richness of grilled lamb chops or a well-marbled rib-eye steak.

Blend: 52% Petit Verdot, 26% Malbec, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon

Professional Ratings

  • 93
    Opaque garnet color and rich aromas of plum. Chewy, velvety, and intense, with notes of chocolate, mocha, and spice; dense and balanced. Mostly Petit Verdot with Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • 91
    COMMENTARY: The 2018 Matchbook Arsonist Red Blend is smooth and compelling on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers lovely aromas and flavors of black fruit, licorice, and oak. Pair it with a well-seasoned roast leg of lamb. (Tasted: October 9, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
  • 91

    Composed of 52% petit verdot, 26% malbec and 22% cabernet sauvignon, this channels the mildly herbal savor of those varieties. Scents of licorice, fennel and mace give the impression of California Coast Range native scrub. Adorned with dark, macerated plum fruit, it has plenty of tannins to finish. An uncharacteristically complex and exotic quaffer—for a song.Best Buy

  • 90
    Aromatic, offering a compelling mix of cardamom, palo santo, iron, cedar, vanilla and campfire notes, with juicy dense cherry and boysenberry flavors at the core. Plenty of harmony on the finish.

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Matchbook

Matchbook

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Matchbook, California
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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 wines showcasing the varietals that perform best in their Northern California climate. 

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California is a winemaking colossus; by itself it is the fourth largest producer in the world. Red wine accounts for 56% of the total by volume, and red grapes 63% of total acres planted. In addition, a number of California red wines are heralded as being among the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world.

While the state’s incredibly diverse geography, soils and microclimates allow for a wide array of styles, the key factor unifying California red wine is the abundance of sunshine and a long, consistent growing season. This leads to well-developed fruit marked both by impressive ripeness and balancing acidity.

The state’s most famous red wine region, of course, is Napa Valley, where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as king. But California boasts a wealth of other impressive appellations. The much larger and climatically varied Sonoma County also produces world class California Cabernet, along with wonderful examples of California Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.

Fine versions of Cabernet and Zinfandel hail from Paso Robles as well, which is also gaining fame with Rhone varietals like Syrah and Grenache. As for Pinot Noir, terrific examples can be found from AVA’s such as Anderson Valley, Carneros, Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills. Wineries in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties are making wonderful Syrahs, and the Sierra Foothill appellations are proving to be an experimental hotbed, with Italian and Spanish varietals employed to great effect.

This of course is a mere sketch. The subject of California red wine is as deep and broad as an ocean, and absolutely a joy to explore!

YNG419174_2018 Item# 723848

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