Yao Ming 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Former 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 2017 vintage is another slam dunk!

Fruit from their own bench land site in Yountville and vineyards North to St. Helena, 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. Total skin contact ranged from 19-34 days with all fermentations being carefully basket pressed and put into barrel on full fermentation lees for malolactic fermentation. Racking was twice per year with only one assemblage being done to allow the blend to “marry” in barrel. The wine aged 18 months in French oak, 65% new barrels and bottled without filtration.

The final blend is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot and the wine shows a deep ruby garnet hue. Aromas are layered with berry and flavors of cherry, cassis and violet. There is a core minerality with lavender tones. The oak is well integrated and has nice toasty aromas with hints of vanilla and wild sage. On the palate the wine is lush and firm but also has mature long tannins and supple texture. On Sale!!