Results for Chinese wines at the Decanter World Wine Awards continue to establish its reputation as a quality-led wine producing country.
At the 2023 competition, China received a record-breaking 272 medals – its biggest-ever medal haul to date, and up 40 medals from the previous year of the awards.
With nine Gold medals followed by a further 83 Silver medals and 180 Bronze, China’s wine-producing reputation is proving to go from strength to strength.
On awarding top medals at the competition, regional chair for Asia Poh Tiong Ch’ng commented: ‘When the line between fruit, structure and freshness is seamless, that’s, for me, a Gold wine.’
Scroll down to see the top Chinese red wines from DWWA 2023
Red wines saw particular success with international grape varieties and China’s ‘signature grape’, Marselan proving the country’s diversity of soils, landscapes and climates. Cabernet Gernischt, the France-originated crossing of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache continues to showcase its potential to thrive in varied growing conditions, with wines from Shandong awarded top marks.
To ring in the Chinese New Year on 10th February and highlight some producers to keep your eye on, we’ve selected 15 award-winning red wines from the 2023 competition to try, each receiving 92+ points.
Whether familiar with Chinese wines or looking for where to start, discover benchmark examples of the quality red wines China is becoming known for…
Chinese New Year: 15 award-winning Chinese red wines to try
Gansu
Chateau Summer Land, Mourvedre, Wuwei 2021
Silver, 94 points
Smoky nose with aromas of jammy black cherries and earthy undertones Spicy palate, layered, with a firm dry finish. Alcohol 15%
Hebei
Shacheng Winery, Shacheng Yima Marselan, Huailai 2020
Silver, 94 points
Meaty nose with violets and cocoa nuances framing opulent aromas of figs and dates. Rich and intense on the palate. Alc 15%
Great Wall Chateau Sungod, Syrah, Huailai 2018
Silver, 92 points
Opulent nose with aromas of rich and lovely red berry fruit. Dense and bold on the palate, showing freshness. Alc 15.2%
Ningxia
Lansai Winery, Yu Moli Cabernet Sauvignon, Helan Mountain East 2020
Gold, 96 points
Classic nose displaying elegant aromas of roasted coffee, forest floor, cedar, dried leaves, leather and generous red fruit. Assertive and polished tannins, lovely long finish. Alc 15.5%
Huida Sunshine Ecological Winery, Qianhongyu Cabernet Sauvignon, Helan Mountain East 2019
Gold, 95 points
Playful aromatic nose with ripe dark berries, violets, jammy dark cherries and prunes framed by leather and tobacco complexity, cedary nuances. Dense and polished tannins. Alc 14.5%
Chateau Mihope, 1968 Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon , Helan Mountain East 2020
Silver, 94 points
Ripe aromas of blackcurrants with nuances of vanilla spice and cedary undertones. Mellow and defined tannins, long toasty finish. Alc 14.5%
Domaine Pushang, Chunhua, Helan Mountain East 2019
Silver, 94 points
Crunchy black fruit aromas with lovely cassis and red currants. Well integrated tannins, with a lively acidity and long finish. Alc 15%
Xiban Winery, No. 1 Tempranillo, Helan Mountain East 2021
Silver, 94 points
Intense and fruit driven nose with notes of violets, blueberry and morello cherries. Gorgeous, fresh fruit palate, with a seamless texture. Alc 14%
Shandong
Chateau Changyu Castel, Reserva Cabernet Gernischt, Yantai 2019
Gold, 96 points
The nose shows aromas of minty cassis, blackberries, Christmas spices and hints of tomato leaf and leather. Silky mouthfeel, very elegant expression on the palate. Alc 13.5%
Chateau Changyu Castel, Premium Cabernet Gernischt, Yantai 2019
Gold, 95 points
Perfumed cassis and cherries, with toasty and smoky undertones and hints of leather. Well made, with slightly grippy tannins, well-structured. Long savoury finish, meaty. Alc 13%
Longting Vineyard, Reserve Cabernet Franc, Penglai 2019
Silver, 94 points
Vibrant fruit aromas of blackcurrant, wet stones, fresh leaves and hints of earthy notes. Dry on the palate, long finish. Alc 14.5%
Xinjiang
Puchang Vineyard, Viaseres Reserve Saperavi, Turpan 2017
Gold, 96 points
Powerful and spicy, displaying jammy aromas of red and black fruits, with interesting meaty nuances. Firm and well-integrated, rich, with a great concentration of flavour. Alc 14%
Tiansai Vineyards, T50 Syrah, Yanqi 2020
Gold, 95 points
The nose displays lovely and elegant aromas of crunchy fruit and well-judged oak undertones. Vibrant on the palate, with ripe supple tannins and long juicy finish. Alc 15%
Tiansai Vineyards, Skyline of Gobi Grand Reserve Marselan, Yanqi 2017
Gold, 95 points
Mature, pruney nose with complex aromas of creamy oak, dark chocolate, barley sugar and leathery undertones. Polished and elegant on the palate. Refined tannins. Alc 14.4%
Xiangdu Winery, Xiangdu Anthony Cabernet Franc, Yanqi 2021
Silver, 94 points
Rich and brooding black fruit aromas with leafy notes and plenty of glossy new oak. Dry and full-bodied, with firm tannins. Alc 13.8%
