Domaine de Long Dai (瓏岱) 2020

The fourth wine of our Chasing Terroir: Shandong dinner — Domaine de Long Dai, Chateau Lafite Rothschild's own China project, poured to show structure.

Region: Qiu Shan Valley, Penglai, Shandong, China | Grape: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc, 20% Marselan (2020) | Style: Dry Red | Aged 18 months in French oak

Winemaking
A joint venture between DBR Lafite and CITIC, often called "the Chinese Lafite." Each variety is vinified separately with 15–20 days of gentle skin-contact extraction, then malolactic fermentation and blending, followed by 18 months in French oak — built on Lafite's philosophy of precise extraction and balance.

High Cru Tasting Notes
Deep, bright ruby. Young and layered on the nose — blackcurrant, black cherry and black plum give way to cedar, graphite, pencil shavings, licorice, cocoa, tobacco and Asian spice, opening with air to violet, mint and a whisper of coastal minerality. The palate leads with precision rather than power: pure, concentrated black fruit, taut lively acidity, and fine velvety tannin. Long finish of black fruit, graphite, cedar and mineral. A Chinese fine wine built on structure, balance and ageing potential — not an imitation of Bordeaux, but Lafite's winemaking philosophy expressed through Penglai's coastal terroir.

Food Pairing
Hand-torn chicken and duck leg, slow-braised duck — the wine's ripe, fine tannin and structure match the dish's richer, more concentrated flavors as an equal partner rather than a supporting act.