2020 Ao Yun, Yunnan
The 2020 Ao Yun is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 6% Syrah and 6% Petit Verdot, grown across the four villages at different altitudes. Deep purple, with equally purple dark fruit, with cassis, black plum dominating, and blueberry and mulberry providing aromatic lift. On the palate are layers of mineral, crushed rock, fresh mint and wild sage, more noticeable in this 2020 iteration than in the plumper 2019 vintage. At this early stage there is also lots of oak character with clove, smoke and creamy vanilla The tannins are fine, ripe, mouth-coating and rounded, and there's plenty of refreshing acidity and mountainous character, lifting to a long, fine finish.