The vintage
2018 vintage will probably go down as a benchmark vintage in Shandong province, with optimal ripening of the grapes and good balance in the wines. The season started with spring conditions that encouraged growth in the vineyard, with alternating scattered rain showers and sunny days. The flowering conditions from 1 to 4 June were very favourable for fruit set and resulted in good bunch numbers for all our grape varieties. August was marked by a period of intense drought, resulting in a uniform and high-quality veraison and an excellent state of health through to the end of the season. The harvest then took place under very good late-season conditions, giving a crop of exceptional quality. Meticulous zoning work in the plots, according to the ripening balance for each terrace, is carried out each year to select the optimal harvest date for each terroir. We were thus able to start the harvest with our first plots of Merlot on 12 September and finished with Cabernet Sauvignon from 5 to 13 October.
Varietals
Cabernet sauvignon : 75%
Marselan : 17%
Cabernet franc : 8%
Marselan : 17%
Cabernet franc : 8%
Tasting
Initially the nose is subtly imbued with black fruit such as blueberry, quickly giving way to spicy notes like nutmeg and liquorice. On aeration, it reveals floral scents of hawthorn and violet, emblematic of Marselan on the Long Dai terroir. The palate is concentrated and dominated by black fruit, with blueberry and blackberry followed by roasted and cocoa notes. It is finely structured by rich and elegant tannins supporting good length on the palate.