Ao Yun 2020 | Yunnan The luxury group from France, LVMH as the owner and vineyards at altitudes between 2,000 and 2,600 metres form the basis for the "Ao Yun', which claims to be nothing less than "the best red wine in Asia'. And with grape varieties that are as French as the wood in which they are matured: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 6% Syrah and 5% Petit Verdot. The grapes for the 2020 wine come predominantly from the very highest vineyards, with maturation reduced to 12 months and only 60% barrique (the rest in stone vats). However, this does not detract from the result: density, power, plenty of dark red fruit, extremely fine tannins, plus spices, cedar wood and chocolate - the "Ao Yun' 2020 seamlessly joins the ranks of absolute world-class Bordeaux blends. The Drinks Business: 97+ Punkte " (Yunnan; 60% Cabernet Sauvignon; 19% Cabernet Franc; 10% Merlot; 6% Syrah; 5% Petit Verdot; small yields of just 18 hl/ha for the Cabernet Sauvignon, for instance; pH 3.35; 14% alcohol). A fascinating and deeply engaging wine. Graphite. Black pen ink. Plump wild blueberries. Loganberries. Brambles. A wild gamey meatiness too.. Lièvre à la royale. Violet. Lavender. Cedar. I find this very profound and rather beautiful aromatically in its slight austerity and restraint. There is almost something a little Cheval Blanc-like in its character. A glorious shape and texture in the mouth. Architectural. This is quite tight horizontally yet more elongated vertically – a lozenge on its side! Gracious and glacial at first but then bright and dynamic, charged with energy as if fired from below. Fresh. Exciting. Long and perhaps the best vintage yet of this unique wine. " Jane Anson: 97 Punkte " The resculpting of Ao Yun over the past few years continues here, wiith medium to full intensity ruby colour coupld with nuanced fragrant spices of rosemary, bay leaf and sage that burst out of the glass. Spring flowers, turmeric, bright berry fruits and a slow and steady lift. Feels like an entirely different expression of classic Bordeaux varieties (Syrah aside) that highlights the impact of altitude, and just brings a ton of personality to the glass. Maxence Dulou winemaker. Shorter ageing also, in a bigger variety of containers - 30% new barrel, 30% neutral barrel, 40% stoneware jar for 12 months followed by 5 months in stainless steel vats. Only 59% of grape harvested entered in Ao Yun, with the rest going into the new village wines, and in this vintage 72% of the blend Ao Yun blend is from the two coolest villages of Adong (2600m) and Shuori (2500m)." (02/2024) Decanter: 96 Punkte "Smells wild and strong on the nose, some elements of blackcurrants, damsons and plums, but darkly cool not overly ripe. The meaty, wild Syrah elements come through (even at just 6% of the blend) with a touch of florality from the Cabernet Franc (19%). Really vivid bright purple in the glass too, almost fuschia pink on the rim. Thick and unctuous, this has weight and body with a fleshy, plump texture, almost chewy but bouncy too so you get strength and clear structure but with lift and brightness from the pure fruit and high acidity. I love the styling, feels controlled and purposeful. Suave but still muscular, confident. It's a big wine with plenty to say. Very long and keeps the intensity all the way through. I like the cool mint eucalyptus note on the finish reminding you it's full of Cabernet. I'd still struggle to say where it's from but it's very good. 6% Syrah and 5% Petit Verdot complete the blend." - Georgina Hindle (02/2024)