Ao Yun
About Ao Yun
The mighty LVMH has never been a company lacking adventurous spirit in the relentless pursuit of excellence alongside visionary ambition. Setting their eyes to China, a large country hitherto unexplored by Western oenophiles, the team finally found the chosen site of Ao Yun after four years of searching in the northern area of Yunnan province.
Translating to “flying above the clouds” in reference to the extraordinary altitude of Ao Yun’s vineyards, between 2,200 and 2,600 ft, China’s flagship vineyards are nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas on the banks of the Mekong River. In essence, a site of exceptional terroir which is as breathtakingly beautiful as it is conducive to world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.
Produced from 314 distinct plots across almost 28 hectares, estate manager Maxence Dulou considers it a true honour to have been given the opportunity to discover an entirely new and untapped terroir. Ao Yun was first produced in 2013, it was made as a Cabernet blend. Since 2017, the wine saw the introduction of Merlot, a varietal increasingly seen as an essential piece of Ao Yun’s future. This gorgeous wine is characterised by its lush, supply of fruit and seductive propensity to reward ageing.
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Prices:
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James Suckling (98)
I love the depth and complexity of the nose, which brings you down deeply into the wine, showing blackberry, ink, tar, earth, incense, cloves, and black licorice. Thyme, too. The purity of the fruit, including cassis, is the real thing. This is full-bodied, but remains so fresh and vertical on the palate. The tannins are so fine and integrated, producing a millefeuille-like layering of tannin and cool, blue fruit. Incredible wine. The greatest wine made in China so far. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 19% cabernet franc, 10% merlot, 7% syrah and 4% petit verdot. 26,000 bottles made. Drinkable now, but will be so much better in four or five years.Inc. VAT£1,294.40 -
James Suckling (98)
Very scented, complex and layered with a classy nose full of ripe currants, smoke and sweet tobacco leaves. Graphite, charcoal, exotic herbs and cigar box. A hint of black truffle and tapenade, too. Full body with fine, silky tannins that highlight the juicy aspect of this wine. Dusty tannins gradually build up on the palate in a crescendo, following through to a juicy, precise and lengthy finish. Super-polished and refined. There is still cabernet verticality on the palate. The finest Ao Yun so far? It has a finish that lasts almost two minutes. 67% cabernet sauvignon, 17% cabernet franc, 10% syrah and 6% petit verdot. This is a blend of 23% of Xidang village, 21% Sinong, 32% Shuori and 24% Adong. Already drinkable now, but should hold until 2026.Inc. VAT£1,360.18 -
James Suckling (99)
Super classy, fragrant nose that immediately brings demureness with its currants, graphite, paprika, cigar box, tobacco leaves and a touch of cocoa powder. This is a juicier expression of Ao Yun on the palate, with lots of brightness and probably a little less weight and opulence than 2019, but certainly more agility, firmness, tension and freshness. Refined, layered, long and silky, but the tannins are fresh and present. Extremely long and nervy. The best Ao Yun to date that zeroes in on balance. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 19% cabernet franc, 10% merlot, 6% syrah and 5% petit verdot. 30% new barrels, 30% old barrels and 40% stoneware jars from Sichuan. Drink from 2025, and the wine should age beautifully for the next two decades, if not longer.Inc. VAT£1,360.18 -
James Suckling (98)
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.Inc. VAT£1,283.00
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James Suckling (98)
I love the depth and complexity of the nose, which brings you down deeply into the wine, showing blackberry, ink, tar, earth, incense, cloves, and black licorice. Thyme, too. The purity of the fruit, including cassis, is the real thing. This is full-bodied, but remains so fresh and vertical on the palate. The tannins are so fine and integrated, producing a millefeuille-like layering of tannin and cool, blue fruit. Incredible wine. The greatest wine made in China so far. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 19% cabernet franc, 10% merlot, 7% syrah and 4% petit verdot. 26,000 bottles made. Drinkable now, but will be so much better in four or five years.In Bond£1,058.00 -
James Suckling (98)
Very scented, complex and layered with a classy nose full of ripe currants, smoke and sweet tobacco leaves. Graphite, charcoal, exotic herbs and cigar box. A hint of black truffle and tapenade, too. Full body with fine, silky tannins that highlight the juicy aspect of this wine. Dusty tannins gradually build up on the palate in a crescendo, following through to a juicy, precise and lengthy finish. Super-polished and refined. There is still cabernet verticality on the palate. The finest Ao Yun so far? It has a finish that lasts almost two minutes. 67% cabernet sauvignon, 17% cabernet franc, 10% syrah and 6% petit verdot. This is a blend of 23% of Xidang village, 21% Sinong, 32% Shuori and 24% Adong. Already drinkable now, but should hold until 2026.In Bond£1,113.50 -
James Suckling (99)
Super classy, fragrant nose that immediately brings demureness with its currants, graphite, paprika, cigar box, tobacco leaves and a touch of cocoa powder. This is a juicier expression of Ao Yun on the palate, with lots of brightness and probably a little less weight and opulence than 2019, but certainly more agility, firmness, tension and freshness. Refined, layered, long and silky, but the tannins are fresh and present. Extremely long and nervy. The best Ao Yun to date that zeroes in on balance. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 19% cabernet franc, 10% merlot, 6% syrah and 5% petit verdot. 30% new barrels, 30% old barrels and 40% stoneware jars from Sichuan. Drink from 2025, and the wine should age beautifully for the next two decades, if not longer.In Bond£1,113.50 -
James Suckling (98)
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.In Bond£1,048.50
