Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
byJane Ansonthe2/26/2022
Second vintage and the step up is clear - already standing among the best Chinese wines that I have tasted, and an amazing achievement for only the second year. Soft plum in colour, just beginning to show its 8 years of age. There's a touch of reduction on the first nose, with plenty of concentrated damson and black cherry fruit to sink into on the palate, along with sage, clove, saffron, fennel, liqourice, graphite, crushed rocks. Sleek and enjoyable, with the fresh acidities of a mountain wine coming through more clearly as it ages than I found when it was first bottled. This was tasted as part of the vertical, then drunk again later over food and it was even better - strongly suggest seeking out to see just what can be produced on this site with a bit of bottle ageing. Harvest lasted from September 14 (Xidang Village, 2100m) through to October 21 (Adong Village, 2,600m), significantly earlier than 2013 after a warmer growing season, with low yields of just 15hl/h. First wine made in the new cellar located in Adong Village. 50% new oak for ageing.