Introducing the 2017 Chestnut Tree Cabernet Franc from Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery. 100% estate fruit from the Staff family vineyard within the Vinemount Ridge appellation with its angular clay soils and cool growing conditions. Small berries with extraordinary flavour and complexity and a long hang time before harvest (harvested November 10th, 2017) ensure the high pedigree of this wine and strong desire for collectors. The wine was cool fermented and hand plunged twice daily for 10 days after 3 days of cold soaking, a total of 30 days on skins. Aged 22 months in French and American oak, with 60% of the barrels being new. Lovely garnet colour with deep red hues alludes to a well-made cool climate red. Aromatics reminiscent of a fresh black forest cake lift from the glass complete with kirsch cherry and dark chocolate curls. Spice and herbal notes intertwine throughout the aromatics. On the palate, dry, dark chocolate styled tannins wisp across the tongue with dried herbs, cedar, mocha and pencil shavings to add complexity. A dry, cedar, herbal finish persists. Sensational with game meats, lamb, dark meat poultry, bison, aged dry cheeses (esp salty aged sheep cheeses), and almonds. This wine will sing with anything with dark chocolate or spiced cakes. "Subtle cedar on the nose with easy, fruit and herbaceous, notes. Well balanced with sweet spice coming through on the finish." ~ 2020 International Wine & Spirits Competition   BRONZE MEDAL, 2020 International Wine & Spirit Competition BRONZE MEDAL, 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards