The colour is medium garnet. On the nose antique furniture and leather, with mentholated notes. The bouquet is at first light, but it grows in the glass. In the mouth only the acidity and the by now very soft tannins are left. The most surprising characteristic is the long persistence.
Overall this wine has certainly passed its prime, but it still reveals signs of a noteworthy past, especially for a Chinese wine. Although at 12 a Cabernet Sauvignon could show off better, this is a praiseworthy wine for the still young viticulture of China.
When it was founded in 1997 Grace Vineyard was the first family-owned winery in China. Chan Chun-keung, an Indonesian-Chinese tycoon, imported everything from grapevines to foreign winemakers. Grace Vineyard’s first vintage was produced in 2001.
I did pick this bottle freely from the collection of a Chinese friend in Beijing. A collection that beside a couple of Chateau Lafite 2002 included some other remarkable Bordeaux, although from the suboptimal 2007 vintage. Among them: Chateau Latour, Ducru-Beaucaillou, Léoville-Poyferré, Cos d’Estournel and Angelus.
I did choose Grace Vineyard instead of a prestigious Bordeaux because I was interested in tasting a wine from this world’s famous Chinese producer. Although the wine is fading, I’ve been happy with the pick. In this respect, the 2007 Bordeaux would probably not have been any better and, although I could have had it, I didn’t dare to pick the Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2002.
Country: China
Region: Shanxi
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Type: Red
Vintage: 2007
Producer: Grace Vineyard
Price range: Premium (30-50 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5