Nocontrol Wine — Jinsha Bloom Marselan 2023

Marselan from the Jinsha River valley — blueberry and blackcurrant fruit, full-bodied at 15% yet never heavy.

Region: Yunnan, China | Grape: 100% Marselan | Vintage: 2023 | Style: Dry Red | ABV: 15.0% | Volume: 750ml

Terroir
Meili Lanchuan, elevation 2,200m.

Winemaking
While Marselan is booming across China's major regions, it remains a newer arrival in Shangri-La. This wine comes from young vines (no more than five years old) in the Jinsha River valley at 2,250m in the Hengduan mountains, with yield strictly capped at around 500kg per mu. Hand-harvested in late September, the berries are notably dense and resilient, with thick, dark skins. Winemaking follows a minimal-intervention philosophy: standard destemming with light crushing, and only a trace of sulphur added. Fermentation runs on native/wild yeast alone under inert-gas protection, with a roughly two-week alcoholic fermentation controlled below 28°C. After pressing off the skins, the wine is aged in parallel across new and seasoned French oak and traditional clay jars, with malolactic fermentation completing naturally in these vessels.

High Cru Tasting Notes
Deep, bright purple-red with a vivid violet sheen at the rim. The nose opens with intensely fresh, expressive blueberry and crushed blackcurrant, followed by a faint whisper of violet and the mineral signature of the Jinsha River valley, with hints of prune and spice. Concentrated and focused on the palate, with bright, lively acidity from its cool, high-altitude origin. Small berries and thick skins build a firm yet fine-grained tannic frame. Full-bodied and powerful at 15% ABV, yet never heavy. Oak lends a whisper of vanilla, while the clay jars preserve a pure, transparent minerality. A clean finish, full of juicy berry echoes and remarkable length.

Total Production: 800 bottles