{"title":"Ao Yun","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"ao-yun-cabernet-sauvignon-2013","title":"Ao Yun Cabernet Sauvignon 2013","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAo Yun Cabernet Sauvignon 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 750ml, 15% ABV red wine from the Himalayan foothills of Yunnan Province, China, blending 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Cabernet Franc. This inaugural vintage from LVMH's Shangri-La project earned a 91-point Wine-Searcher Critics Score and introduced the world to serious winemaking at extreme altitude — between 2,200 and 2,600 meters above sea level.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 15%  |  Origin: Shangri-La, Yunnan Province, China  |  Vintage: 2013  |  Winery: Ao Yun (LVMH)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAo Yun — meaning \"roaming above the clouds\" in Mandarin — sources fruit from four villages in the Shangri-La region: Adong, Xidang, Sinong, and Shuori, where vineyards sit at elevations that present roughly 25% lower oxygen levels than sea-level sites. To compensate, the winemaking team increases aeration during maceration, extends maceration time, and conducts malolactic fermentation in both new French oak barrels and porous terracotta baijiu jars that allow micro-oxygenation naturally. This dual-vessel approach, combined with reduced sulfur dioxide usage and entirely hand-harvested, hand-made production, gives the 2013 vintage a character distinct from any other Cabernet-dominant blend in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with ripe blackcurrant and blackberry, followed by cooler tones of graphite and camphor. Deeper layers reveal clove, tobacco leaf, and a subtle earthiness reminiscent of leafy underbrush and mushroom.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is juicy and suave, led by sweet black and red cherry fruit with concentrated cassis at the core. Mid-palate, peppery spice emerges alongside cumin, juniper, and dark chocolate, while an underlying smokiness and mineral thread carry through to the peak. The body is full, with ultra-fine tannins providing structure without harshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish is long and layered, with lingering notes of cassis, tobacco, and a cool graphite minerality. A peppery warmth persists alongside traces of licorice and dark fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Ao Yun 2013\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis wine is best served slightly below room temperature, around 16–18°C, in a large-bowled glass that allows its aromatic complexity to develop fully. Decanting for at least an hour is recommended to let the tannins soften and the secondary aromas unfold. Given its concentration and structure, Ao Yun 2013 is designed for contemplative drinking rather than cocktail use — treat it as you would a serious classified Bordeaux.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImpressing a collector with a rare Chinese fine wine from LVMH's first Himalayan estate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing with a multi-course dinner built around red meat or game\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting to a Bordeaux enthusiast seeking something genuinely different\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding to a cellar as a conversation-starting inaugural vintage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Ao Yun 2013 taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e Ao Yun 2013 delivers concentrated black and red cherry fruit, cassis, and dark chocolate supported by graphite minerality and peppery spice. Ultra-fine tannins give the wine a full-bodied yet suave texture with a long, smoky finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Ao Yun 2013 compare to Right Bank Bordeaux?\u003c\/strong\u003e Critics have noted flavor parallels to Right Bank Bordeaux and Sonoma Mountain Cabernet, with similar cassis and graphite notes, but Ao Yun's extreme high-altitude origin and terracotta jar aging introduce a distinctive mineral freshness and spice complexity not typically found in Bordeaux.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Ao Yun 2013 good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e Ao Yun 2013 is built for thoughtful, unadorned drinking — its layered aromatics and structured tannins reward patient sipping, especially after an hour of decanting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Ao Yun 2013 made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Ao Yun is produced in the Shangri-La region of Yunnan Province, China, from vineyards in the villages of Adong, Xidang, Sinong, and Shuori, at elevations between 2,200 and 2,600 meters in the Himalayan foothills.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Ao Yun 2013?\u003c\/strong\u003e Sichuan-peppered beef tenderloin complements the wine's own peppery spice. Braised lamb shank echoes its earthy, tobacco-tinged depth. Aged Comté or Gruyère cheese mirrors its full body and fine tannins. Roasted duck with dark cherry sauce amplifies the cassis and red fruit core. Dark chocolate truffles with a pinch of sea salt bridge beautifully to the wine's chocolate and mineral finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Ao Yun 2013 come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e Ao Yun Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 is available in the standard 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Ao Yun 2013 worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Ao Yun positions squarely in the ultra-premium tier, reflecting its LVMH backing, extreme-altitude viticulture, labor-intensive hand production, and limited availability. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking a pioneering Chinese fine wine with critical acclaim, it represents a credible luxury investment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Ao Yun 2013?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 2013 vintage is the debut release from one of the most ambitious fine-wine projects of the decade — LVMH's commitment to proving that world-class Cabernet can emerge from Himalayan terroir above 2,200 meters. No other commercially available Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wine in the world is made at this altitude, requiring entirely rethought winemaking protocols including terracotta baijiu jar fermentation and adapted oxygenation techniques. With a 91-point Wine-Searcher Critics Score and a CellarTracker community average of 90.7 points across 43 reviews, this inaugural vintage validated the concept. As a first-ever release with finite production, Ao Yun 2013 holds singular importance for anyone interested in the evolution of fine wine beyond its traditional European and New World strongholds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ao Yun","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837767610537,"sku":"29485","price":275.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Ao-Yun-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2013__66921.jpg?v=1730493730"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/ao-yun.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}