Chateau Changyu Moser - XV PURPLE AIR 2016
Pairing Suggestions
Chateau Changyu Moser - XV PURPLE AIR 16 and XV GRAND VIN Cabernet Sauvignon 16
In September this year I had a video tasting with Lenz M. Moser and tasted six wines of Chateau Changyu. On the picture you can find two of their top wines with the just released XV Purple Air.
Lenz Moser started his career in the Lenz moser family business, worked for Mondavi in Europe and started his own wine brand called Laurenz V in 2005. His second activity from 2005 onwards was acting as the CEO of an importing company in Germany. In this capacity he met the people of Changyu first in 2005, heading into a close relationship with the leaders of this pioneering company. In 2015 they decided on a joint project: Chateau Changyu Moser XV, a partnership with the big goal of producing China’s best and most important wines.
They chose the Ningxia region (the emerging wine region) for this challenging project which is located in Central Western China on the fringes of the Gobi desert and feeds off the Yellow River.
With about 3.000 sun hours per year it's the best region to allow the berries to fully ripen at 1.100 meters above sea level.
They own 250 ha. of vines and the Chateau (built in 2013 for 70 milion euro) which houses an impressive 1.500 barrique cellar as well as a high-tech bottling line. About 90% of their vines are Cabernet Sauvignon. The most important variety for China.
My tasting notes:
Grand vin 2016 (87+ TSW) – about € 80
Aged in barriques (5 different coopers) for 24 months.
Dark ruby red color. On the medium(+) nose aromas of dark berries, cassis and spices with hints of vanilla, cedar and bell pepper.
On the palate dry, medium(+) bodied with medium(+) acidity and ripe tannins.
Round in the mouth with a good balance. Still young (greenish) but with a lot of potential.
Purple air 2016 (89+ TSW)
Dark ruby red color.
On the medium(+) nose aromas of blackberries, cherries and cassis with hints of vanilla, cloves, cacao and tobacco.
On the palate dry, medium(+) bodied with less alcohol and fine ripe tannins. Flavours are a recall of the nose with a medium(+) length finish.
This one was my favorite with more elegance. Very curious how this wine will develop.