Ao Yun 2021 Gift Box

Ao Yun 2021 is a profound, highly allocated Himalayan icon from LVMH's pioneering estate, grown across 773 micro-parcels at staggering altitudes of 2,100 to 2,600 meters in Yunnan, China. The 2021 growing season was the warmest and driest ever recorded at the property, characterized by a severe spring drought followed by salvific summer rains. Crucially, these conditions allowed the estate's highest-altitude plots to fully ripen and be included in the grand vin. To safeguard freshness against the heat, winemaker Maxence Dulou utilized a gentle extraction and aged 60% of the wine in traditional Chinese stoneware and glass vats, with the remaining 40% in French oak barrels.

In the glass, it displays a deep, brilliant ruby color. The nose is spectacularly intense, perfumed, and exotic, exploding with aromas of dark currants, black olives, and dried rose petals, layered with complex undertones of blood orange, incense, cigar box, and Chinese five-spice. On the palate, it is full-bodied, dense, and powerfully structured ($14\%$ to $14.5\%$ ABV), pairing the natural power of the warm vintage with an unexpected, airy verticality. Its fleshy core of dark fruit is framed by a massive volume of svelte, powdery tannins and driven by a tonic line of high-altitude acidity, culminating in a long, precise, and distinctly saline finish.

Food Pairing: Five-spice duck breast, herb-crusted rack of lamb, charcoal-grilled ribeye steak, or aged Comté cheese.

98 Points - James Suckling

Deep and concentrated but at the same time refined, fresh and complex, this Ao Yun cabernet combines power and concentration from the vintage and place with polished, demure aromas of dark currants, black olives, dark tobacco leaves, cigar box, paprika, dark spices, dark minerals and a touch of cocoa powder. Full-bodied and powerful, with masses of dusty tannins and a vertical yet ample finish. A warm, dry-vintage wine that’s powerful but beautifully balanced, polished and refined. 57% cabernet sauvignon, 19% cabernet franc, 12% merlot 6% syrah and 6% petit verdot. 14% alcohol. It is a selection of grapes from four villages, Drink from 2027.