Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Very amber in color, Intense apricot and honeysuckle aromas, honeydew sirope, fruity, highly viscous on the palate, medium plus body, very welcoming with a long finish. Complex and high in ABV 15%. — 2 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Earthy, light and approachable, elegant and delicate aromas of dark cherry and ripen strawberries. Medium Plus body, herbal and oaky finish. Very casual. — 2 years ago

Aaron Tan

8.9

Distillery: Hebei Xianwang Liquor
Name: Huang Han Jiao

Another local from Hebei Province, and another lower alcohol Baijiu (40+ % abv). Like the Shilixiang, on the "sweet" side, but perhaps a little softer and rounder. No musky tones, more a sort of floral fragrance and quite estery. The palate was quite similar to the Shilixiang - rich and melow mid-palate, and finishes sweet with a burn. It'a quite nice, but to be honest, I'd gravitate away from Baijiu after this trip. — 7 years ago

Xu Ming

8.9

Soft, with tiny oaky. It's worth trying — 12 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Black forrest, blackberry notes and flavors. Structure tannins, sets on the rustic side, complex, rich and bold. Balanced acidity and solid finish. — 2 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

A blend of Cab Sauv. Tempranillo and Durif give an abundance of red fruits with an intense velvety notes and taste. Persistent notes of baked black cherry and raspberry pie. Powerful and luscious, Some leather and cacao flavors are mostly by the back-end of the palate. Lingering finish. — 2 years ago

Aaron Tan

8.9

Distillery: Hebei Sanjing
Name: Shilixiang Baijiu

Fun apparent fact - Baijiu is the most consumed spirit in the world. But gosh... How little does the Western society know of this spirit. It's so difficult to find information on these bottles that are not in Mandarin (in English basically).

This distillery has to be king of the Hebei province (right outside Beijing). Signboards and ads are plastered everywhere with this very nicely branded disillery (love the bottle).

That said, this was pretty good. Alcohol on the lower side (40% abv). Sorghum and wheat based. It's on the "sweeter" side, even on the nose. Smells a touch musky, herbal and quite smooth on the mid-palate, finishes sweet and strong, but not necessarily harsh. Still burns unlike the Shandong Baijiu, but heck... It's Baijiu. It should burn. In my mind, this has sort of a richness, but not quite like Maotai's style and density. Still learning, so forgive the botched notes. — 7 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Canaan Winery — Chapter and Verse Reserve Merlot 2015. Huailai, Hebei, China 🇨🇳

Overview
A stunning expression of Merlot from one of China’s pioneering premium wineries. This 100% Merlot demonstrates that exceptional fine wine can emerge from unexpected places, delivering remarkable elegance, balance, and varietal purity. A true benchmark for modern Chinese winemaking.

Aromas & Flavors
Expressive aromas of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, and red plum are complemented by layers of cocoa, freshly roasted coffee, sweet baking spices, and a subtle earthy nuance. The palate is beautifully integrated, offering concentrated fruit without excess weight or ripeness.

Mouthfeel
Silky, polished, and exceptionally refined. Fine-grained tannins glide effortlessly across the palate, creating a luxurious texture with rounded edges, vibrant freshness, and an impressively long, harmonious finish.

Food Pairings
Roast duck, beef tenderloin, mushroom risotto, Peking duck, grilled lamb, aged Gouda, or simply enjoy it on its own to appreciate its remarkable finesse.

Verdict
This wine completely breaks the paradigm of what many expect from Chinese wines. Sophisticated, impeccably balanced, and remarkably smooth, it competes confidently with premium Merlots from far more established wine regions.

Did You Know?
Founded in 2006, Canaan Winery is considered one of China’s leading boutique producers. Located in the cool-climate region of Huailai in Hebei Province, the estate has helped showcase China’s growing potential for producing world-class fine wines.

🍷 Personal Pick
One of those rare bottles that consistently creates a genuine “Whoa!” moment. It surprised everyone at the table and completely changed my perception of premium Chinese wines. Crazy smooth, impeccably balanced, silky tannins, and unforgettable elegance. — 2 years ago

Elizabeth Rice

9.4

First showing of this wine outside of China and it doesn’t disappoint. — 7 years ago

Eduardo de las Casas

9.0

Plesantly surprised, very balance, color is not the best but great aroma and taste — 10 years ago