Hu Yue
The vintage
Spring 2023 was particularly dry with cool temperatures at the time of budburst. The flowering was accompanied by precipitation, allowing the vegetation to gradually develop. Conditions remained stable and sunny afterwards. At the beginning of August, the vineyard was affected by Typhoon Doksuri, with 146mm of rain, leading to increased sanitary pressure. Subsequently, the heat and low precipitation provided rapid ripening conditions. A meticulous zoning was carried out by the teams across the entire vineyard to prepare for the harvest. The harvest began on August 31 in the Merlot plots and ended on September 26 for the Cabernet Sauvignon.
Location
The Long Dai Estate nestles in the heart of the Qiu Shan Valley in the Shandong province, North-East of China. The climate in this region is tempered by the influence of the Yellow Sea, about 20 km away. Highly dependent on agriculture, this region benefits from both mild winters and granite soils, making it favourable for viticulture.
Terroir
The 42-hectare vineyard stretches across more than 600 terraces, following the agricultural tradition of the region. Winter in this region is dry and cold, but less severe than in other parts of the country. Summer is hot with a short rainy period in July and August, followed by two months of dry weather during the critical ripening period. The terrace system does not allow for uniform ripening of the grapes. Harvesting is done in several passes to ensure optimal ripeness.
Winemaking
This wine is crafted using traditional Bordeaux winemaking methods: careful sorting in the vineyard and upon arrival at the winery, gentle pump-overs during fermentation, and a maceration period — more or less extended depending on the grape variety — allowing for a gradual extraction of tannins and colour compounds. Following malolactic fermentation and a tasting of each vat, the wine is blended and aged for 12 months. A bot more than half the wine is matured separately in barrels from the Tonnellerie des Domaines.
Grapes
Tasting
Bright, clear ruby colour with violet highlights.
The nose opens with fresh, fruity aromas of strawberry, raspberry and small red cherry, complemented by notes of hawthorn.
Hints of mushroom aromas (truffle and button mushroom), cinnamon, and violet are followed by touches of undergrowth and biscuit, adding further complexity to the whole.
On the palate, the crisp acidity awakens the senses before giving way to a generous roundness supported by dynamic, finely structured tannins. The finish is long and fresh, marked by notes of pine and mint.
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