Shangri-La
Ao Yun Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc
China
My first wine from China and the only Chinese wine in my cellar. On research, this vineyard is about 50 miles from the Burmese border in high country (8000 feet) near the Mekong River. Owned by LVMH hence the expense at around $500AUD. This Cabernet blend (90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc) has a lovely fragrant nose, medium bodied with persistent fluid tannins. One can see so many influences from Left Bank Bordeaux - great depth of flavour and density with ripe black fruits. I think this has more years in front of it unlike the drinking window I was following. An excellent effort - very promising. Great packaging as you can see.
My first wine from China and the only Chinese wine in my cellar. On research, this vineyard is about 50 miles from the Burmese border in high country (8000 feet) near the Mekong River. Owned by LVMH hence the expense at around $500AUD. This Cabernet blend (90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc) has a lovely fragrant nose, medium bodied with persistent fluid tannins. One can see so many influences from Left Bank Bordeaux - great depth of flavour and density with ripe black fruits. I think this has more years in front of it unlike the drinking window I was following. An excellent effort - very promising. Great packaging as you can see.
Dec 18th, 2022
It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a tasty one from China.
Dark ruby in color with a short brick rim.
Earthy nose with blueberries, black currants, blackberries, wood, light vanilla, espresso, wet leaves, forest floor, smoke, tobacco leaf, spices, graphite, vegetables, bell pepper, licorice and black pepper.
Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with with blueberries, sweet cherries, black plums, oak, licorice, cloves, earth, vegetables, spices, tobacco leaf, wet leaves, black tea, peppercorn and leather.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a nice surprise. My first Chinese wine, and that's a great start. Showing nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. Feels like a Left Bank Bordeaux.
This 6 year old is nicely balanced, although could use a few more years in the bottle to mature.
Interesting enough to drink by itself with good friends and talk about.
Needs a couple of hours to open up properly and show the complexity.
Thank you Sonny for sharing this with me.
I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.
A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. Grapes are grown at over 8,000 feet elevation.
15% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$300.
It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a tasty one from China.
Dark ruby in color with a short brick rim.
Earthy nose with blueberries, black currants, blackberries, wood, light vanilla, espresso, wet leaves, forest floor, smoke, tobacco leaf, spices, graphite, vegetables, bell pepper, licorice and black pepper.
Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with with blueberries, sweet cherries, black plums, oak, licorice, cloves, earth, vegetables, spices, tobacco leaf, wet leaves, black tea, peppercorn and leather.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a nice surprise. My first Chinese wine, and that's a great start. Showing nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. Feels like a Left Bank Bordeaux.
This 6 year old is nicely balanced, although could use a few more years in the bottle to mature.
Interesting enough to drink by itself with good friends and talk about.
Needs a couple of hours to open up properly and show the complexity.
Thank you Sonny for sharing this with me.
I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.
A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. Grapes are grown at over 8,000 feet elevation.
15% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$300.
Fascinating! Pyrozenes belie 15% ABV. Focused, textured and bright. Corison Kronos sticks out as a comparison...
Fascinating! Pyrozenes belie 15% ABV. Focused, textured and bright. Corison Kronos sticks out as a comparison...
Jul 9th, 2019
Tough blind for me, most people called CS/CF blend, took air for the pyrazines fo become apparent to me. Certainly unique. Hard to pinpoint exactly what this wine is, but there’s some elevation character here, would be interested in trying more. $300.......🤨
Tough blind for me, most people called CS/CF blend, took air for the pyrazines fo become apparent to me. Certainly unique. Hard to pinpoint exactly what this wine is, but there’s some elevation character here, would be interested in trying more. $300.......🤨
Jun 29th, 2019
A blend of grapes from 5 regions in China made by the Cheval Blanc Winemaker. Reminds me of a mix of Napa Valley and Bordeaux. A core of dark fruit followed by classic Bordeaux like notes green peppercorn and tobacco.
A blend of grapes from 5 regions in China made by the Cheval Blanc Winemaker. Reminds me of a mix of Napa Valley and Bordeaux. A core of dark fruit followed by classic Bordeaux like notes green peppercorn and tobacco.
Oct 25th, 2017
My first one from China
My first one from China
1 person found it helpfulApr 14th, 2017
I liked the wet stone and minerality of the nose...lots of slate, asphalt and hints of fried fruits on the nose. Structure was taught albeit the mouth-feel was thinner than expected for such a expensive wine. Think there is some Carmenere in there which I'm not fan of for Cab/Cab Franc dominated blend. This is the first vintage and I think there is promise. The nose really opened up after 30 minutes so hope this wine can age at this lofty price!
I liked the wet stone and minerality of the nose...lots of slate, asphalt and hints of fried fruits on the nose. Structure was taught albeit the mouth-feel was thinner than expected for such a expensive wine. Think there is some Carmenere in there which I'm not fan of for Cab/Cab Franc dominated blend. This is the first vintage and I think there is promise. The nose really opened up after 30 minutes so hope this wine can age at this lofty price!
Jan 26th, 2017
Fun to try this wine. Thanks, Matt!
Fun to try this wine. Thanks, Matt!
Mar 31st, 2024
Herbaceous, peppery, smoky, savoury, and very high acidity when first opened. Everything started to blend in together and balance out after 5 hours, started to have some vanilla taste. Full body. Powerful stuffs but needs time.
Herbaceous, peppery, smoky, savoury, and very high acidity when first opened. Everything started to blend in together and balance out after 5 hours, started to have some vanilla taste. Full body. Powerful stuffs but needs time.
Oct 13th, 2023