2023 Chateau Changyu Moser XV Helan Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc de Noir

2023 Château Changyu Moser XV Helan Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc de Noir is one of the most original white wines to emerge from China – and the very first white Cabernet Sauvignon ever bottled in the country. Crafted by Austrian winemaker Lenz M. Moser and estate bottled at Château Changyu Moser XV in Ningxia, it shows a style and texture that simply doesn’t exist anywhere else. Technically a white wine made from red Cabernet Sauvignon, it bridges the character of fine Chardonnay and aromatic, Old World Sauvignon Blanc while offering its own, distinctly Helan Mountain personality.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, this Blanc de Noir appears almost like a pale rosé, with a delicate, very light salmon tint yet the clarity and brightness of a white wine. The nose is vibrant and pure, opening with zesty grapefruit peel, lemon zest and citrus blossom, layered with exotic fruit tones that suggest passion fruit, ripe guava and a subtle hint of white peach. On the palate the wine is bone dry (less than 2 g/L residual sugar) despite a softly rounded impression of sweetness from its generous fruit. The attack is fresh and lively, driven by a precise, racy acidity of around 5.8 g/L. Flavours of pink grapefruit, Meyer lemon and crunchy stone fruit are joined by a gentle spiciness and a savoury, lightly herbal edge. The small-berried Cabernet Sauvignon, grown in Ningxia’s arid climate, gives roughly 25% more extraction than many European Cabernets, translating into an unusually concentrated core of fruit, fine texture and real grip for a white wine. The finish is long, clean and mineral, with a mouth-watering salinity that invites another sip. This vintage can comfortably age 5–7 years or more, gaining additional complexity, softer edges and a more layered, nutty and honeyed profile over time.

Production
The grapes for this Blanc de Noir come from vineyards in the Helan Mountain area of Ningxia, on the edge of the Gobi Desert at around 1,100 metres above sea level. The terroir is defined by extremely dry, well-drained soils, abundant sunshine (about 3,000 hours during the growing season) and sharp diurnal shifts between hot days and cool nights, allowing Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen fully while retaining excellent natural acidity. The berries are small and thick-skinned due to the arid conditions, concentrating flavour and solids in the juice. Harvesting is carefully timed to capture both ripeness and freshness, and the grapes are handled gently to minimise colour extraction: the juice is pressed off the skins very quickly, so the faint tint comes from the juice itself rather than maceration, making this a true white wine from red grapes. Fermentation and maturation take place in stainless steel to preserve purity, precision and aromatic brightness, and the wine is bottled at the château (mise en bouteille au château), underlining its estate-grown, estate-bottled character.

Food & Serving
This unusual white Cabernet Sauvignon is wonderfully food‑versatile, shining with dishes that benefit from freshness, texture and gentle spice. Pair it with citrus‑marinated prawns, ceviche, scallops, sushi and sashimi, or simply grilled white fish with herbs. It also works beautifully with Asian‑inspired cuisine – think lightly spiced Thai salads, Vietnamese spring rolls, or Chinese dishes with ginger, lemongrass and coriander – as well as goat cheese, soft-ripened cheeses and Mediterranean vegetable dishes. Serve well chilled but not ice‑cold, ideally at 8–10°C (46–50°F) to let the exotic fruit and spice unfold. Decanting is not necessary, but pouring the wine into larger glasses and giving it a few minutes in the glass will help reveal its more complex citrus and mineral notes.

Producer
Château Changyu Moser XV is a flagship collaboration between China’s historic Changyu Pioneer Wine Company – founded in 1892 and widely regarded as the country’s first major wine producer – and Austrian winemaker Lenz M. Moser, whose family has over a century of winemaking heritage in Europe. Located in Ningxia at the foot of the Helan Mountains, the estate has become one of the key names proving China’s potential for high‑quality, terroir‑driven wines, particularly from Cabernet Sauvignon. By combining extensive local vineyard resources with European know‑how, Changyu Moser XV has garnered international attention for its innovative styles, from premium reds to groundbreaking wines like this Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc de Noir, helping to put Ningxia – and China – firmly on the modern fine‑wine map.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.