Good quality, affordable red that seems to be getting better each vintage. The 2010 wine is ruby red in color, with ripe red fruit nose; cherry and oak flavors and a slightly herbaceous or vegetal character common in domestic Cabernet Sauvignons, and a smooth lightly tannic finish. Founded in 1997 in Ningxia, the Helan Mountain Vineyards is a joint venture with French giant Pernod Ricard and is making increasingly good and affordable white and red wines.
Allow 15 minutes for breathing and serve at 15 - 16℃; nice with all kinds of grilled and fried meats; try with grilled Dalian Snow Dragon steak with black pepper sauce.
A few months in oak.
Nice now and can be enjoyed over the next 3 years.
John H. Isacs