Accolades

94 points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Nov. 2020: “Dried-blackcurrant, pine, charred-bark and musk aromas. Dried herbs and spices, too..Flavorful and dense.”

93 points, The Wine Spectator, Dec. 2020: “Very expressive, with lots of bay, menthol and sassafras notes leading off, followed by alluring cassis, cherry and plum purée flavors.”

97 points, The Wine Advocate, Feb. 2019: “…spills seductively out of the glass with compelling crème de cassis, plum preserves and baked cherries scents plus hints of mocha, menthol, underbrush and cedar chest. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated in the mouth, the palate delivers layer after layer of vibrant black fruit preserves, framed by firm yet velvety tannins and tons of freshness, finishing very long.”

93 points, Vinous, Dec. 2018: “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Yao Ming Family Reserve packs a serious punch, with plenty of depth in its black cherry, mocha, new leather, plum, licorice and chocolate flavors….it could very well merit an even more positive note. The 2016 is dense, plush and inviting.”

94+ points, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, Dec. 30, 2016: “There are a lot of celebrity wines in the world today, but this is certainly a top-notch, impressive effort and can be approached now, because it’s a 2014. It is soft, but promises to age gracefully for another 15-20 or more years, possibly longer.”

93 points, Wine Enthusiast, May 2021: “..this full-bodied wine is surprisingly bright in acidity…the oak adds additional spice and vanilla, weaving easily within the dense layers of texture and tannin.”

92 points, Vinous, Dec. 2018: “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Yao Ming is soft, supple and inviting…this mid-weight Cabernet Sauvignon has a lot to recommend it. Above all else, the Yao Ming Cabernet is a wine of understatement and class.”

94 points, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, Dec. 2018:  “…scented of warm red and black plums, black currants and spice box with hints of dusty earth and potpourri. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, fresh and fine, it offers perfumed fruit and great length.”

93 points, Wine Enthusiast, May 2021: “Deep and dense in blue and red fruit, this full-bodied wine is robustly concentrated and rich by design…the tannins are lengthy and beginning to be supple.”

93 points, Wine Enthusiast, May 2021: “Earthy and leathery in concentrated layers of dark cherry and currant, this robust, generous wine is soft and well integrated in terms of both oak and tannin…overall richness and refined exuberance.”

93 points, Vinous, Dec. 2020: “Yao Ming’s 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is deeply intriguing. Pencil shavings, crushed rocks, blackberry jam, new French oak and a whole range of spice notes meld together in a powerful, unctuous wine that beautifully expresses the personality of Howell Mountain.”