Domaine Muxin Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot 2021

A high-altitude Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend, hand-destemmed by Tibetan villagers in one of the most demanding vineyard sites in Yunnan.

Region: Lancang River (Mekong) Valley, Yunnan, China | Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Merlot 30% | Vintage: 2021 | Style: Dry Red | ABV: 14% | Volume: 750ml 

Terroir
Steep terraced vineyards along the Lancang River valley, planted at 2,200–2,700 meters. The left bank is clay and sandstone; the right bank is clay with slate and schist. The high-altitude, cool climate preserves tight, vivid acidity even in a warm-climate grape like Cabernet Sauvignon.

Winemaking
Grapes are hand-sorted and 100% hand-destemmed by local Tibetan villagers. Fermentation relies on wild yeast with gentle extraction; the wine is unfined, unfiltered, and made with extremely minimal sulfur. It ages 18 months in French oak, 40% new. Harvest for this vintage began August 28, 2021, with each parcel vinified separately.

High Cru Tasting Notes
Deep garnet-red. The high-altitude fruit and gentle, wild-yeast winemaking give a wine that's more structured than showy: dark cassis and black cherry, joined by dried herb, graphite, and a savory, slightly rustic edge from the unfined, unfiltered approach. Cool-climate acidity keeps everything taut and lifted, while 18 months in French oak (40% new) adds a frame of cedar and fine-grained tannin without heavy toast. Built for structure and terroir expression rather than immediate fruit-forward drinking — a wine that rewards patience.