2019 Ao Yun Shangri-La

2019 Ao Yun Shangri-La is one of China’s most sought-after red wines, crafted high in the Himalayan foothills of Yunnan province. This vintage marries Bordeaux-inspired structure with the lifted freshness that only extreme altitude can deliver, resulting in a powerful yet finely detailed wine. Born from Moët Hennessy’s ambitious vision to create a ‘Grand Cru’ of China, Ao Yun has quickly become a benchmark for Asian fine wine on the world stage.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2019 Ao Yun Shangri-La shows a deep, vibrant ruby hue with a youthful, almost luminous intensity at the rim. The nose is complex and expressive, opening with ripe blackcurrant, blackberry and dark plum, layered with violet, dried rose petal and a touch of wild mountain herbs. With air, notes of graphite, cedar, tobacco leaf and subtle incense emerge, alongside exotic spice and a gentle hint of cocoa from refined oak aging. On the palate, this is full-bodied yet remarkably poised, with fine-grained tannins and a taut, refreshing acidity that speaks to its high-altitude origins. Flavors of black cherry, cassis and damson unfold over savory undertones of pencil shavings, earth, black tea and sweet spice. The texture is silky but structured, with an impressive sense of verticality and length, finishing on lingering notes of dark fruit, spice and mineral tension. The 2019 has the concentration and balance to evolve beautifully; expect it to drink well now with a decant, and to develop further complexity over the next 12–20 years.

Production
Ao Yun is produced in the remote Shangri-La region of Yunnan, in southwestern China, where vineyards sit dramatically between roughly 2,200 and 2,600 meters above sea level in the foothills of the Himalayas. The terraces are carved into steep slopes with a patchwork of soils—ranging from gravel and sand to clay and limestone—providing excellent drainage and a wide array of microterroirs. Yields are kept low, and all work in the vineyards is done by hand, often with the help of local farming families, as the terrain is too demanding for mechanization. The blend in 2019 is centered on Cabernet Sauvignon, supported by Cabernet Franc and small amounts of other Bordeaux varieties and Syrah, depending on parcel selection. Grapes are carefully sorted, then vinified in small lots to preserve the character of each village parcel. Fermentation is carried out in temperature-controlled vessels, with gentle extraction to build texture without harshness. The wine is then matured in French oak (a proportion new) for an extended period, allowing it to integrate its structure and develop complexity without losing the purity and freshness that define Ao Yun.

Food & Serving
2019 Ao Yun Shangri-La is a natural partner for richly flavored dishes and refined cuisine. It pairs beautifully with roast or grilled lamb, dry-aged beef, venison, or slow-braised short ribs, as well as Peking duck, lacquered pork, and deeply savory dishes seasoned with star anise, soy, and five-spice. Earthy accompaniments like wild mushrooms, truffle dishes, and root vegetables, along with firm aged cheeses, also work very well. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to showcase both its aromatic lift and depth of flavor. Decanting for 1–2 hours before serving is recommended in its youth to open up the bouquet and soften the tannins.

Producer
Ao Yun, meaning “flying above the clouds,” is a pioneering fine-wine project launched by Moët Hennessy in the early 2010s after an extensive search across China for exceptional terroir. They settled in the remote Shangri-La area of Yunnan, near the Mekong River and close to the Tibetan Plateau, where altitude, sunlight, and wide diurnal temperature swings create a unique environment for Cabernet-based wines. Working with smallholder families across several high-altitude villages, Ao Yun brought top-level viticultural and oenological expertise to a region with a long tradition of mountain agriculture but little history of fine-wine production. Since its first vintages, Ao Yun has garnered significant international attention and critical acclaim, positioning itself as one of China’s flagship wines and a serious contender on the global luxury wine scene.

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