Vintage Character 2018 XiaoLing JiuNongDing Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon is a dry red from Shangri-La in Yunnan, one of China’s most distinctive high-altitude wine regions. The growing season delivered ripe fruit while the mountain climate preserved freshness, making 2018 a balanced and attractive vintage for the area. Drawn from steep terraced vineyards around Cizhong at roughly 2,000 metres, this Merlot-led blend benefits from intense sunlight, large day-night temperature swings, and well-drained mountain soils, all of which help build vivid aromatics, fine structure, and notable energy.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairing On the nose, expect dark cherry, blackberry, plum and wild flowers, layered with mountain herbs, black tea, gentle spice and a discreet touch of oak. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, with supple but firm tannins, lively acidity, and a savoury mineral thread that keeps the ripe fruit precise rather than heavy. The finish is persistent and polished, suggesting both poise and cellaring potential. It pairs especially well with roast duck, grilled lamb chops, or mushroom risotto.
Winery Background Xiaoling Estate is a boutique producer in the Cizhong area of Shangri-La, shaped by a collaboration between local growers and a quality-focused winemaking team that has included Mu Chao and Burgundian consultant Sylvain Pitiot. The estate works with small, steep parcels farmed largely by hand, reflecting the realities of this Himalayan landscape and a philosophy centered on low yields and site expression. In the cellar, the approach is measured rather than showy, aiming to preserve purity, freshness, and texture so that the wine speaks clearly of its rare mountain origin.