Puchang Red Beichun 2018

A Silk Road heirloom variety reborn in China — Beichun grown among Turpan's Gobi gravel.

Region: Turpan, Xinjiang, China | Grape: Beichun (Muscat Hamburg × Vitis amurensis cross) | Vintage: 2018 | ABV: 14.5% | Style: Dry Red | Production: 17,000-50,000 bottles

Terroir
Weakly alkaline alluvial soil of Gobi gravel, sand and silt with a thin clay topsoil. Planted on sun-facing slopes at 1,100-1,200m, vines 25+ years old. Turpan basin sees just 16-20mm annual rainfall, 14.4°C average temperature, 3,000-3,200 hours of sunshine, a ~270-day growing season, and extreme diurnal swings, irrigated by Tianshan snowmelt via ancient karez channels.

Winemaking
Beichun is a cold-hardy hybrid bred in 1954 to withstand China's harsh continental winters, with naturally high acidity and firm tannin that benefit from extended hang time and oak aging. Hand-harvested across multiple selective passes to capture optimal ripeness, fermented and aged in a combination of stainless steel and French oak for 12-24 months, with further bottle maturation before release.

High Cru Tasting Notes
Bright, deep garnet color. Black and red cherry, quinine, cocoa and licorice aromatics with a base note of violet. Smooth, juicy entry; an elegant, rustic mid-palate carrying sweet, silky black cherry, smoky plum, sandalwood and sweet spice with a creamy undertone. Long, round finish — reminiscent of an Amarone in style, well balanced, with dried-plum richness that opens up beautifully with air.