drink-now2008 Ch. Changyu Moser XV, Ningxia

One’s first impulse to judge this wine simply for its novelty value, but that is to do it a disservice. Empirically, in the context of Chinese red wines, it is outstanding, but how does it stack up internationally? Priced in line with, for example, a relatively serious red Bordeaux, there is plenty of Cabernet character, pure fruit, no earthiness, well-integrated oak and, most importantly ripe tannins and a rewarding concentration. In a blind tasting of its Bordeaux peers, it would not be embarrassed, but neither would it be the best. It may be at the top end of its price bracket, but it’s in a field of one at the moment, and gives a fascinating glimpse of a possible future. The first vintage is 2008, 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, with 12 months in French oak. Yields are low, the fruit is site selected, there a sorting table (the first in China), classic Bordelais treatment.

{***}{region}Ningxia, China{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                                                                {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2008{vintage}{***}