You’d think with the name, the “Chestnut Tree”, said tree would have played a larger part in the making of this wine: chestnut wood ageing or chestnut aromas – but no it just has to do with history and a 150 year old tree. An elongated 22 months in a 50/50 mix of American and French oak, of which 30% is new, gives the wine smoky-herbal and tobacco nuances; those vanilla notes you are getting come from the American oak and the black cherry is both fruit and vintage derived … plus there’s a long finish making this a very quaffable and enjoyable wine Cabernet franc and one of Sue-Ann’s best to date. Price: $34.95 – Rating: ****+