One vintage, two spirit barrels, and a fascinating side-by-side tasting. Discover the 2018 Chestnut Tree Cabernet Franc Spirit Barrel Duo: two bold, elegant wines with distinctive layers of spirit-barrel character.

What's in the Duo

One bottle each of:

• 2018 Chestnut Tree Cognac Barrel Cabernet Franc
• 2018 Chestnut Tree Tequila Barrel Cabernet Franc

Wine Style

Dry, robust and elegant Cabernet Franc. Exceptionally full-bodied, with gripping tannins and added complexity from time in spirit barrels.

Quick Impressions

Ripe red berries · Cedar · Tobacco · Dried herbs · Subtle spice · Toasted honey & vanilla

Perfect With

Tasting Notes

These dry, robust, elegant Cab Francs are ripe with additional flavour from their time in spirit barrels. Expect a base nose and palate of ripe red berries, cedar, pencil shavings and tobacco. Both are exceptionally full-bodied with gripping tannins. Look, too, for heady notes of dried herbs, orange peel, subtle spices, toasted honey and vanilla.

Vinification

The duo explores two spirit-barrel expressions of the 2018 Chestnut Tree Cabernet Franc: one from a Cognac barrel and one from a Tequila barrel.

Read Sue-Ann's notes on the winemaking process.

Key Details

• Vintage: 2018
• Grape Variety: Cabernet Franc
• Alcohol: 13.0%
• Duo: Two bottles, one Cognac Barrel and one Tequila Barrel
• Serving Temperature: Cellar temperature, 55°F (approximately 13°C)
• Original Recommended Drinking Window: now – 2030

The Side-by-Side Experience

Due to the wines' complexity, Sue-Ann suggests serving both on their own at the same time with good friends. Even better: create a gorgeous, complex charcuterie board and take your time, savouring an ounce of one wine, then an ounce of the other. Compare the aromas, flavours and textures as each wine reveals its spirit-barrel character.

These wines were made for cellaring. The original recommended drinking window is 2022–2030.