Description

james suckling

Now we see the reality of what this is. Dark berries, blackcurrants, wet earth, spices and slate. Full-bodied yet so in check and refined. Cool fruit and fine tannins. Glorious. Pretty fruit. So together. Needs three or four to come around but beautiful.

wine enthusiast

Heady aromas of black currant, black pepper, baking spices and eucalyptus set the scene for flavors of dark plum, cherry, black tea and ground pepper, with a touch of smoke. Tannins come on a touch strong at first, then subside into a mellow, spice-filled finish. Overall, the feeling on the palate is very luxurious, with a visceral sense of minerality in the mouth. Cellar Selection

robert parker's wine advocate

The 2015 Ao Yun is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Cabernet Franc. It has a deep ruby appearance—even deeper than the 2016—and reveals an immediately complex, perfumed nose of lifted cassis, bramble and black plum fruit with subtle pyrazine notes (green bell pepper, touch of blackcurrant leaf) combining with well-integrated new oak notes of clove, smoke and toast. The 2015 Ao Yun shows even greater concentration than the impressive 2016 vintage, with ripe, fine-grained tannins, harmonious alcohol and some buoyant acidity. This has marked length with a stylish, polished finish. It will be fascinating to see how the 2015 and 2016 vintages evolve alongside each other in the years to come. The 2015 currently looks as though it might have the edge on the 2016, but there is much to appreciate in both wines. The 2015 is certainly more in line stylistically with the 2017 vintage, which has similarly glossy and robust fruit and will be similarly age-worthy.

vivino