Vintage Character Hu Yue 2022 comes from Domaine de Long Dai's terraced vineyard in Shandong's Qiu Shan Valley. The producer reports exceptional spring heat, which required careful irrigation to support growth and flowering. Rain followed, then late-season Typhoon Meihua delivered about 300 mm in three days, increasing disease pressure and forcing stringent selection. Picking ran from 9 September to 1 October, with terrace-by-terrace zoning to match different ripeness levels. The vintage reflects both early heat and the effort to protect clean, balanced fruit after the storm, and the estate's account makes plain why selectivity mattered in 2022.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairing The official wine sheet describes a bright ruby colour and red-fruit aromas spanning raspberry, cranberry, cherry and strawberry, at 13.5% alcohol. Pepper, clove, roasted almond and a restrained floral note add complexity without obscuring the fruit. On the palate, freshness meets a firm structure, a light toasted-wood accent and a long, fine-textured finish. The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Marselan, Cabernet Franc and Syrah gives both fruit and structure. Roast duck, grilled lamb or a mushroom-and-pepper dish offer complementary savoury weight. Serve at about 16 to 17 degrees, with some air.
Winery Background Long Dai is the Shandong estate developed by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite). Its Qiu Shan Valley vineyards stand around 20 km from the Yellow Sea, whose maritime influence moderates the climate. The estate describes 42 hectares spread across more than 600 terraces, where ripening is not uniform and multiple picking passes are important. That topography gives Hu Yue a distinctive context: it requires detailed mapping, irrigation decisions and selective harvest rather than a single vineyard-wide picking date. The 2022 technical sheet connects those practices with the difficult season.