Matchbook Tinto Rey

Matchbook Tinto Rey is a Tempranillo-dominant red blend from Dunnigan Hills, California, bottled at 13.8% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scored 88 points by Wine Enthusiast (2016 vintage) and awarded Silver at the Sommeliers Choice Awards (2015 vintage), this estate-grown bottling showcases a grape variety rarely spotlighted in California winemaking.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.8%  |  Origin: Dunnigan Hills, Yolo County, California  |  Tempranillo-Based Red Blend  |  Producer: Matchbook Wine Company

Production & Heritage

Matchbook Wine Company farms estate vineyards in the Dunnigan Hills appellation, located in the northwest corner of Yolo County. Tinto Rey — Spanish for "King of Reds" — centers on Tempranillo and is rounded out with supporting lots of Syrah, Petit Verdot, Graciano, and Tannat; exact percentages shift by vintage, but Tempranillo consistently accounts for roughly half the blend. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, followed by extended aging — up to 30 months in certain vintages — in a combination of French and American oak barrels, contributing layers of spice and structural complexity uncommon at this price tier.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The glass opens with dark fruit — plum and blackberry — before shifting to earthy notes of saddle leather, cigar box, and a thread of chocolate. A subtle coffee-bean quality emerges with air, giving the nose genuine depth.

Taste: On entry, juicy red currant and black cherry provide a fruit-forward impression that quickly broadens at mid-palate into savory herbs, cola, and dense blueberry. Toasted oak and creamy vanilla arrive at the peak without overwhelming the fruit core. The wine is full-bodied and intense yet avoids heaviness, with each component blending cleanly into the next.

Finish: The finish is long and textured, carried by dusty, fine-grained tannins that recall well-structured Iberian reds. Lingering tobacco and dark chocolate notes fade slowly, inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Tinto Rey

Tinto Rey shows best at cellar temperature (60–65°F) with 20–30 minutes of air, either decanted or swirled generously in a large-bowled glass. Its full body and savory profile also make it a strong cocktail and mixed-drink candidate. A Tempranillo Sangria plays up the wine's dark-fruit character with brandy and seasonal citrus. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) is a natural pairing given the existing cola note in the wine itself. A Red Wine Spritz with sparkling water and an orange twist makes a lighter warm-weather serve that preserves the fruit.

Best For

• Weekend grilling sessions featuring lamb, chorizo, or smoked tri-tip
• Introducing friends to California Tempranillo as an alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon
• Building a diverse cellar with underrepresented varietals
• Casual dinner parties where a crowd-pleasing, food-friendly red is needed

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tinto Rey taste like? Tinto Rey delivers a full-bodied profile of black cherry, plum, and blueberry layered with savory notes of leather, cigar box, and dark chocolate. Dusty tannins and a long finish give it structure without harshness.

How does Tinto Rey compare to Spanish Tempranillo from Rioja? Tinto Rey tends toward riper, darker fruit and bolder body than most Rioja Crianza bottlings, reflecting the warmer Dunnigan Hills climate. It shares the earthy, leather-and-tobacco character typical of Tempranillo but leans into New World intensity rather than Old World restraint.

Is Tinto Rey good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balance of ripe fruit, oak-derived spice, and integrated tannins makes it satisfying neat, especially after a short decant to let the aromas fully open.

Where is Tinto Rey made? Tinto Rey is produced by Matchbook Wine Company from estate vineyards in the Dunnigan Hills appellation, situated in northwestern Yolo County, California. The region's warm days and cool Delta breezes create conditions well suited to Tempranillo.

What foods pair well with Tinto Rey? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's earthy tannins. Manchego cheese echoes its Spanish-varietal roots. Braised short ribs match its full body and dark fruit. Chorizo and roasted peppers align with its savory-spice profile. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the wine's cocoa undertones.

What sizes does Tinto Rey come in? Matchbook Tinto Rey is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Tinto Rey worth the price? Tinto Rey positions as a value-tier red blend that punches above its weight — 30 months of oak aging and a five-grape blend are details more commonly found at higher price points. Its 88-point Wine Enthusiast score reinforces the quality-to-value ratio.

Why Tinto Rey?

California Tempranillo remains a niche category, and Tinto Rey is one of the more serious expressions available. The extended oak program — up to 30 months in French and American barrels — adds a level of complexity that sets it apart from most sub-premium red blends. The supporting cast of Syrah, Petit Verdot, Graciano, and Tannat brings structural diversity rarely seen in wines at this tier. For drinkers curious about Tempranillo beyond Spain, or anyone looking for a full-bodied red that trades generic fruitiness for genuine character, Tinto Rey makes a compelling case.