Ao Yun has created a true rarity with its first vintage – its 2013 cuvée, a Bordeaux blend – which it released in 2016. A dark and powerful combination of 90% cabernet sauvignon and 10% cabernet franc, the wine is a confluence of East and West, and of the New and Old Worlds.
Heritage
Revitalizing the land
Jesuit missionaries first planted vines in the Northwest of the Yunnan province in the 19th century, but it was not until 2009 that Ao Yun’s founders traversed the vast Chinese landscape and settled on its location, under the shadow of the majestic Meili mountain.
Winemaking
Merging old with new
On Ao Yun’s 300 plots, all the work is done by hand. Techniques inspired by the location were used during vinification of the 2013 blend, including storage in earthenware jars native to the region. The wine was matured in new oak for six months to avoid overwhelming its flavors.
A slow, intense growing cycle
The estate’s mountainous terroir is unlike any other, with the vineyard located at altitudes of 7,200-8,500 feet. Vines are grown in ancient soil ideal for cabernet sauvignon, and a longer growing cycle produces grapes with greater intensity and silky tannins.
