In a time-honored and distinctive Penfolds House Style, this Chinese Trial Wine combines the essence of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Shangri-la region and Marselan from Ningxia. The Shangri-la region is in the Yunnan province, one of the most beautiful locations in China. Yunnan is in the far southwest, bordering Burma, Laos and Vietnam. The high altitude of the mountainous vineyards makes ideal cool, dry conditions for ripening Cabernet Sauvignon. Ningxia is a small autonomous region in north-central China. The province has been at the forefront of modern Chinese winemaking since 1982 and has attracted significant local and international investment in vineyards and production facilities. The region benefits from a south-north ridge called Helan Mountain which protects Ningxia from extreme weather from the west. The nearby Yellow River provides precious water for irrigation, delivered by highly efficient, sophisticated dripper systems. Due to exceptionally cold winters, the vines are buried underneath the soil by the end of November, and un-covered in April of the following year, a process that protects them from the elements.
| 品種
Cabernet Sauvignon Marselan
|
Cabernet Sauvignon Marselan |
|---|---|
| ヴィンテージ
2022
|
2022 |
| ボリューム
750 mL
|
750 mL |
| エンクロージャ
Cork
|
Cork |
| ピーク飲酒
Now - 2032
|
Now - 2032 |
In a time-honored and distinctive Penfolds House Style, this Chinese Trial Wine combines the essence of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Shangri-la region and Marselan from Ningxia. The Shangri-la region is in the Yunnan province, one of the most beautiful locations in China. Yunnan is in the far southwest, bordering Burma, Laos and Vietnam. The high altitude of the mountainous vineyards makes ideal cool, dry conditions for ripening Cabernet Sauvignon. Ningxia is a small autonomous region in north-central China. The province has been at the forefront of modern Chinese winemaking since 1982 and has attracted significant local and international investment in vineyards and production facilities. The region benefits from a south-north ridge called Helan Mountain which protects Ningxia from extreme weather from the west. The nearby Yellow River provides precious water for irrigation, delivered by highly efficient, sophisticated dripper systems. Due to exceptionally cold winters, the vines are buried underneath the soil by the end of November, and un-covered in April of the following year, a process that protects them from the elements.
In the spirit of trial and experimentation, Penfolds has married two varieties, sourced from two viticultural regions, on a continent far from home. Does it work? It sure does!
The structural framework from the Cabernet Sauvignon melded with the rich, generous palate of Marselan in a harmonious synergy. A wonderful follow up to the inaugural 2021 release.
– Matt Woo, Penfolds Winemaker
Purple core, red rim.
The nose is both intriguing and complex, beckoning the senses with an almost ferrous intensity that speaks to the wine's earthy terroir. Entwined within this metallic frame are layers of confectionary delight (liquorice all sorts and red pastilles) adding sweetness. Fresh fennel emerges with its aromatic aniseed charm, followed by baking spices. The savouriness deepens as notes of tomato relish interplay with pancetta and cured beef, providing depth and richness, followed by caper berries and hints of brine.
On the palate, sumac introduces itself first, offering its signature tang that invigorates the taste buds and provides a textural counterweight to the underlying umami flavours. This paves the way for a generous core of sweet dark fruits that envelops the mouth in velvety decadence. The tannins are fine yet persistent; they are powdery by nature but resolute in structure, lending support to the robust fruit profile without dominating it. The savoury spice blend – cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice – weaves through each sip, accompanied by plum succulence and fenugreek's maple-like sweetness.
Shangri-La enjoyed more winter rainfall than in 2021, with low ground temperatures delaying budburst by 7-10 days. The growing season was marked by above average rainfall, however August was mostly dry and sunny which provided ideal conditions for ripening cabernet sauvignon. The steady weather allowed for long hang times, ensuring good flavour and phenolic maturity. The 2022 season in Ningxia was marked by favourable growing conditions, with enough rainfall in August to elevate soil moisture profiles. Harvest yields were less than the prior two vintages, with a crop load akin to 2019. Harvest began in mid-September and was completed by early October. The Marselan grapes showed great colours and flavours.
| GRAPE VARIETY
Cabernet Sauvignon, Marselan
|
Cabernet Sauvignon, Marselan |
|---|---|
| VINEYARD REGION
Shangri-La, Ningxia
|
Shangri-La, Ningxia |
| wine analysis
Alc/Vol: 14.5%, pH: 3.57, Acidity: 6.4g/L
|
Alc/Vol: 14.5%, pH: 3.57, Acidity: 6.4g/L |
| MATURATION
12 months in French oak (66% new, 17% 1-y.o.) and American oak (17% new) hogsheads.
|
12 months in French oak (66% new, 17% 1-y.o.) and American oak (17% new) hogsheads. |
Grounded in experimentation, curiosity, and uncompromising quality since 1844, Penfolds celebrates 180 years of winemaking excellence with the release of the 2024 Collection. Reaching the far corners of some of the most revered winemaking regions around the world, the Penfolds Collection spans four countries with wines made from exceptional vineyards across Australia, USA, France, and China. All underpinned by the enduring Penfolds House Style.
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