Ao Yun 2020: A Himalayan Masterpiece

"The greatest wine made in China so far." – James Suckling

The 2020 Ao Yun represents a definitive shift toward elegance and precision. Harvested from 314 small plots across four high-altitude villages, this vintage is a testament to the extreme viticulture practiced in the shadows of the Meili Snow Mountains.

Critical Acclaim:

• James Suckling (99/100): "Super classy, fragrant nose... more agility, firmness, tension and freshness. The best Ao Yun to date that zeroes in on balance."

• Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (96/100): "Beautifully complex... fine-grained tannins with vibrant acidity... undeniably elegant, polished and powerful."

• Decanter (96/100): "Suave but still muscular, confident. It’s a big wine with plenty to say."

Vintage Profile:

• Composition: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 6% Syrah, 5% Petit Verdot.

• Vinification: Aged for 12 months in a mix of new French oak (30%), older oak (30%), and traditional Chinese stoneware jars (40%) to preserve the aromatic purity of the high-altitude fruit.

• Palate: Layers of dark fruit—blackberry and black cherry—intertwined with graphite, cedar, and cool mint. The finish is remarkably long, lasting nearly two minutes.

• Cellaring: Beautifully approachable now after decanting, but built to age gracefully for 20+ years.

Technical Specifications:

• Region: Yunnan (Shangri-La), China

• Altitude: 2,200m – 2,600m

• ABV: 14.5%

• Production: Limited (Only 60% of the harvest selected for the Grand Vin)