Tasting Notes
JancisRobinson.com – 17.5
79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc. Emerging mossiness on the nose, but the black-cherry fruit keeps it youthful. On the palate, it’s much more full throttle: powerful, inky fruit with a strong umami undercurrent that seems to be from bottle age – yet this is still in its first flush, with the intensity and structure to last much longer. (RH)
Anticipated maturity: 2023-2040
Robert Parker – 94
The 2015 Ao Yun is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Cabernet Franc. It has a deep ruby appearancea even deeper than the 2016a 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.
Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030