Yao Ming 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

NBA star Yao Ming is a huge celebrity in his homeland China. With the tremendous surge in wine drinking in China it was only natural that his next career should be that of a vintner and so Yao Family wines of Napa Valley was started. And what a start! Yao's wines since his first release have received high scores and rave reviews and this latest from the "dream" 2014 vintage is an absolute slam dunk! Fruit was rigorously hand-sorted and fully destemmed to small stainless steel tanks with light crushing. Cold soak 5-7 days and warm fermentation between 85-90°F with native yeasts. The wine aged 18 months in French oak, 65% new barrels and bottled without filtration. Robert Parker scored this 90 points saying "The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Yao Ming is a blend of 95.33% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. This has an outstanding aromatic profile of cedar wood, blackcurrants, licorice and forest notes followed by a supple-textured, medium to full-bodied, round, juicy wine that can be drink now or cellared for 10-15 years. This is well-made, clean, pure and well-balanced."