This is Ao Yun’s inaugural vintage and is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. The 2013 Ao Yun has a deep garnet appearance, with only a slightly orange rim now emerging. On the nose, there is abundant toasted new oak with clove, smoke and vanilla-scented woody notes marrying with the marked herbaceous character of both Cabernet-family grapes. Expect blackcurrant leaf, grass and green bell pepper. The 2013 vintage has shown quite differently in bottle: It has consistently shown distinct pyrazine notes and plenty of new oak, but some bottles show a deeper core of cassis and bramble fruit than others. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with a ripe coating and crunchy tannins, lifting acidity and generous alcohol—the 15% alcohol not integrating as well compared with other Ao Yun vintages such as 2015—shot through with marked herbaceous character, woody notes and a core of black fruit. There is moderate to longer length here, without the concentration and polish of the 2015 and 2016 vintages. While the 2013 is undeniably approachable now, it will nonetheless benefit from around a further 3-5 years of aging in bottle.

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