Ben says
★★ Great Wine “This wine might come in a bulky, brash and heavy bottle (very likely a requirement for the fast-emerging premium Chinese wine market) but it’s a mature and rather delicate affair. Tannins are still grippy and tight but provide structure to a ripe black-fruited palate with tobacco and toasty notes. Dried fruit and mushroom, soy-like flavours nod to the wine’s age, and are a welcome addition. Overall it’s got plenty of character but doesn’t quite live up to its extraordinary expectations.“
KEY POINTS
Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon with 14.3% abv. 2016 was a particularly warm and ripe year. Havested from 12-18 year old vines with parcel-selected barrel fermentations prior to blending and further maturation (5 different coopers, French, medium toast, all new) for 2 years. Only 6,300 bottles were made. Moser states it will age for 20 years after vintage.
Grown in: Ningxia, CHINA.
Food Pairing
Try this wine with a slow-cooked beef stew, using flavoursome beef shin and chunks of sirloin, cooked slow in a velvety mix of soy, beef stock, sherry and spices like star anise and chilli. Serve with steamed baby pak choi and sticky rice.
Disclosure & Price
Tasted at the Walker & Wodehouse portfolio tasting. Find in the UK for circa £200.00 at Harvey Nicholls.
Reviewed and tasted: 20/02/2024
About the Producer
Chateau Changyu is one of the largest Chinese wineries in the world and takes its name from the company that introduced winemaking to China, Changyu, founded by Zhang Bishi. The Chateau’s Moser XV brand was launched in 2025 in partnership with the famous winemaking consultant Laurenz Maria Moser the fifth, grandson of Austrian wine pioneer Lenz Moser III. It aims to bring Chinese wines to the European market in a “Bordeaux-style”.
