Long Dai

The vintage

Spring 2023 was particularly dry with cool temperatures at the time of budburst. The flowering was accompanied by precipitation, allowing the vegetation to gradually develop. Conditions remained stable and sunny afterwards. At the beginning of August, the vineyard was affected by Typhoon Doksuri, with 146mm of rain, leading to increased sanitary pressure. Subsequently, the heat and low precipitation provided rapid ripening conditions. A meticulous zoning was carried out by the teams across the entire vineyard to prepare for the harvest. The harvest began on August 31 in the Merlot plots and ended on September 26 for the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Location

Domaine de Long Dai is nestled at the heart of the Qiu Shan Valley in the Shandong Province in the North eastern part of China. The climate here is tempered by the influence of the Yellow Sea located a mere 20 km away. The region is highly dependent on agriculture and the milder winters combined with the granitic soils make it a place of interest to grow vines.

Terroir

The 42-hectare vineyard stretches across more than 600 terraces, following the agricultural tradition of the region. Winter in this region is dry and cold, but less severe than in other parts of the country. Summer is hot with a short rainy period in July and August, followed by two months of dry weather during the critical ripening period. The terrace system does not allow for uniform ripening of the grapes. Harvesting is done in several passes to ensure optimal ripeness.

Winemaking

This wine is vinified according to traditional Bordeaux methods for the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Fermentation begins immediately after the harvest is brought in, in stainless steel tanks. The winemaking process is tailored for each tank, allowing for a controlled and gradual extraction of tannins over a period of 12 to 20 days. To preserve a balance between richness and freshness, the Marselan is vinified more gently, with a slightly shorter extraction period. Following malolactic fermentation, the grand vin is blended after a rigorous selection of the estate’s best lots. The final blend is aged in oak barrels from the Tonnellerie des Domaines for 18 months. The wine is bottled after its ageing process and stored in the cellars of Domaine de Long Dai under strictly controlled temperature and humidity conditions.

Tasting

The wine shows a clear, bright ruby red colour.
On the nose, it reveals fruity aromas of myrica rubra, blueberry, plum and cherry, combined with spicy notes of star anise, cinnamon, liquorice and vanilla. Hints of smoke and chocolate then emerge, carried by a fresh aromatic lift of mint and cedar.
On the palate, the tannins are fine, silky and persistent. The round and generous structure is supported by a well-balanced acidity that brings freshness and tension. The overall impression is complex and flavoursome, marked by a fine savoury quality and a delicate hint of umami.
The finish is long, lingering and precise.

Alcohol content

Grapes

Cabernet franc : 42 %
Cabernet sauvignon : 33 %
Marselan : 20 %
Petit verdot : 5 %

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