12/04/2015 – Château Hansen Cabernet-Gernischt 2012

Chateau Hansen Cabernet-Gernischt 2012, China
An organic wine from Inner Mongolia in China is certainly not an everyday find in the UK, but China is becoming a very important player on the world wine stage with rapid expansion of their vineyards to serve both local and export markets. Hansen produces over two million bottles of wine per year, including this unoaked Cabernet-Gernischt – in fact a grape varitey that has been identified as genetically identical to the Carmenere of Chile. Indeed this has Carmenere character on the nose with both a flood of ripe, buoyant black fruit that is all cassis and blackberry, and a little green, herby edge that is most attractive. On the palate it is easy to drink with its smooth, soft tannins and juicy acidity, and that plush sweetness of fruit. Different? Certainly. Good? Absolutely! Watch the video for more information, maps and food-matching ideas. 87/100, 10.50, Vintage Roots