EIGHT OF THE BEST

OUR FAVOURITE CHINESE WINES TO DATE FROM NINGXIA’S HELAN MOUNTAIN EASTERN FOOTHILLS

KANAAN WINERY CRAZY FANG 2013

Score: 94

Aromas of currants and berries with fresh herbs and tobacco. Perfumed. A pretty red with currant, sweet tobacco and spice flavours. It’s long and racy. Beautiful focus and persistence. Excellent wine. Drink or hold.

JADE VINEYARD ARIA RESERVE 2015

Score: 93

Beautiful tobacco with sweet berries and cherries. Hints of spice and chocolate. Full-bodied with ripe, velvety fruit and a long, balanced finish. Some stewed fruit. Shows ripeness with balanced, polished tannins. Impressive length. Drink after 2022.

CHATEAU MIHOPE RESERVE DRY RED 2017

Score: 93

Opaque, black hue. Tons of new leather, almost rubber, tar and meatiness with blackberries and dark chocolate. Lots of richness, concentration and fruit sweetness, yet the tannin is very polished. Better after 2023.

HELAN QINGXUE VINEYARD JIABEILAN RESERVE 2014

Score: 93

Very classy nose with Bordeaux flair. Developing complexity now with cedar undertones. Solid fruit and more restrained savouriness here. Nicely balanced with black olive and cassis character. Long. 80 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, 12 per cent Merlot and 8 per cent Cabernet Franc. Drink now or hold.

LINGERING CLOUDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON MERLOT RED BEARD 2017

Score: 93

Pretty aromas of cherries, flowers and violets follow through to a medium body with fine, integrated tannins and a bright, fresh finish. This shows poise and focus with a precise and fine palate. 80 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 20 percent Merlot. Drink or hold.

SILVER HEIGHTS EMMA’S RESERVE 2015

Score: 93

Aromas of tobacco, cedar and currants with a medium body, soft and silky tannins and beautiful fruit at the finish. Needs time to open, but very attractive already. Drink or hold.

DOMAINE CHENG CHENG CABERNET SAUVIGNON MERLOT JINGJIA 2015

Score: 92

Serious depth and complexity. The tannin here is so good. Tightly bound and fine. Full-bodied. Plenty of dark berries and black tea. Leave this in your cellar for two to three years.

LILAN WINERY CABERNET SAUVIGNON MERLOT NINGXIA LANCUI 2017

Score: 92

A powerful red with plenty of richness and concentration.

It has a nice core of ripe black fruit, bitter chocolate and spices. Full-bodied with toasted-wood character, yet shows outstanding balance and potential to age well. Long, fruity and chocolatey finish. Drink after 2022.