WELCOME TO YAO FAMILY WINES

A FAMILY WINERY FOUNDED BY BASKETBALL GREAT YAO MING

The Chinese chop, or seal, dates from the Shang Dynasty (商朝 - shāng cháo), which ruled from 1600 BC to 1046 BC. Today, it is used as a family emblem, a signature, to be used on legal documents and ensure the integrity of the process. Yao Ming's chop is our promise to you that our wines are made with the finest grapes, attention to detail, and unbridled passion.

YAO FAMILY WINES 

The wine displays polished black tea tannins with dark garnet color in the glass. The fruit is a seamless transition from blackberry to earthy notes indicative of the terroir to layers of blueberry, cedar and soft vanilla centered French oak on the finish. Given the exceptional hang time, this Cabernet Sauvignon will be one to keep for 15-20 years.

WINE FACTS:

• Vineyards: The Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from vineyards in Oakville and Yountville. The Petit Verdot was sourced in Oakville and the Malbec was sourced in southern Yountville. Consistent heat through-out the growing season with an extremely long cool September and October resulted in a later than normal harvest.

• Harvest: October 21 through November 5, enjoying exceptional hang time and fruit development. Grapes were harvested at an average of 25.6°Brix.

• Winemaking: The wines were crushed and fermented separately. Cold soaks (5-7 days), warm fermentations between 29– 32°C (85-90°F), and moderate pumpovers twice each day. Total skin contact ranged from 19-34 days with all fermentations being carefully basket pressed and put to barrel on full fermentation lees for malolactic fermentation (ML). Racking was twice per year with only one assemblage being done to allow the blend to “marry” in barrel six months prior to bottling.

• Blend: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 9% Malbec.

• Cooperage and Aging: 40% new barrels; 30% one year old barrels and 30% two

year old barrels. 100% French oak. Total time in barrel: 24 months.

• Bottling: February 2021. 718 cases produced.

• Final bottling technical information:

• pH: 3.64

• TA: 6.1 g/L

• Alcohol: 14.5 %

• Release date: Spring 2021.

The wine opens with a burst of spice and ripe blueberry eventually settling into layers of blackberry, leather and all framed in French oak. The nose is complex and shows layers of red fruit. In the mouth, plum, raspberry and cherry flavors are apparent. Soft notes of vanilla and toast provide aromatic richness. The texture is supple to show off the 2018 vintage. The tannins are lush. This wine is drinkable now but will continue to improve for 5 to 7 years.

WINE FACTS:

• Vineyards: Vineyards range from cool mountainside sites in south Napa Valley and to our ranches in St. Helena and Calistoga. We hand tend all vines in each individual vineyard block.

• Harvest: Consistent heat throughout the growing season with an extremely long cool September and October ending in long hang time and later than normal harvest (October into November). Grapes were harvested at an average of 25.5°Brix.

• Winemaking: All of our fruit is hand sorted and fully destemmed to small stainless-steel tanks with no crushing. Cold soaks (5-7 days), warm fermentations (85-90° F), and moderate pump-overs (twice a day or less) were done this year in order to express the vintage. Total skin contact ranged from 19-34 days with all fermentations being carefully basket pressed and put to barrel on full fermentation lees for ML. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot were aged in new and one year old French oak while the Syrah and Zinfandel we aged in more neutral French oak to preserve their powerful fruit flavors. All varietals were blended into one-year French barrels for six months prior to bottling to insure a happy marriage.

• Blend: Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), Syrah (30%), Petit Verdot (30%) and Zinfandel (30%).

• Cooperage and Aging: 50% new barrels; 100% French oak. Total time in barrel: 24 months

• Bottling: February 2021. 726 cases produced.

• Final bottling technical information:

• pH: 3.65

  • TA: 6.4 g/L

• Alcohol: 14.7 %

• Release date: Spring 2021

The wine is 100% Napa Valley and a blend of Petit Verdot, Zinfandel and Syrah. While each of these varietals will produce dramatically different wines depending upon the vintage and terroir, this particular blend leans toward the south end of the Napa Valley emphasizing dazzling dark garnet color and bright red to purple fruit. At the top of the glass, you are instantly intrigued with hints of clove, allspice and the perfume of fresh flowers. In the mouth this theme is expanded to include blueberry, boysenberry with even more explosive florals reminiscent of a field of wildflowers finishing in lavender and well-integrated French oak.

WINE FACTS:

Vineyards: The Syrah and Petit Verdot were sourced from Oakville. The Zinfandel was sourced from a vineyard in the upper valley of Calistoga.

• Harvest: Consistent heat throughout the growing season with an extremely long cool September and October ending in long hang time and later than normal harvest (October into November). Grapes were harvested at an average of 25.5°Brix.

• Winemaking: All of our fruit is hand sorted and fully destemmed to small stainless-steel tanks with no crushing. Cold soaks (5-7 days), warm fermentations (85-90° F), and moderate pump-overs (twice a day or less) were done this year in order to express the vintage. The Petit Verdot was aged in new and one year old French oak while the Syrah and Zinfandel were aged in more neutral French oak to preserve their powerful fruit flavors. All varietals were blended into one-year French barrels for six months prior to bottling to insure a happy marriage.

• Blend: Syrah (33.3%), Petit Verdot (33.3%) and Zinfandel (33.4%).

• Cooperage and Aging: 50% new barrels; 100% French oak. Total time in

barrel: 24 months

• Bottling: December 2020. 56 cases produced

• Final bottling technical information:

• pH: 3.82

• Alcohol: 14.5%

• TA: 6.5 g/L

• RS: 0.4 g/L

• Release date: Early 2021