Chateau Changyu-Moser XV, Moser Legend Blanc de Noir, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia, China, 2018

This topical Blanc de Noir Cabernet Sauvignon is an innovative creation of the Austrian winemaker Lenz Moser at his Ningxia project in collaboration with the Chinese wine giant Changyu. 2016 was its first vintage, made using saignee method as a by-product during the estate’s red wine production. The 2018 version is a rosé rather than a white due to more arid climate and smaller berries. It has white peach and ripe strawberries on the nose, with camomile and yellow fruit sweetness. The palate is ripe and round with citrus and stone fruit characters, refreshed by crunchy apple acidity. The 14% alcohol provides weight but is in harmony with the concentrated fruits. The producer currently makes 130,000 bottles of this wine each year.