Penfolds CWT 521
Cabernet Sauvignon Marselan Giftbox  

In a time-honored and distinctive Penfolds House Style, this Chinese Trial Wine combines the essence of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Shangri-la region and Marselan from Ningxia. The Shangri-la region is in the Yunnan province, one of the most beautiful locations in China. Yunnan is in the far southwest, bordering Burma, Laos and Vietnam. The high altitude of the mountainous vineyards makes ideal cool, dry conditions for ripening Cabernet Sauvignon. Ningxia is a small autonomous region in north-central China. The province has been at the forefront of modern Chinese winemaking since 1982 and has attracted significant local and international investment in vineyards and production facilities. The region benefits from a south-north ridge called Helan Mountain which protects Ningxia from extreme weather from the west. The nearby Yellow River provides precious water for irrigation, delivered by highly efficient, sophisticated dripper systems. Due to exceptionally cold winters, the vines are buried underneath the soil by the end of November, and uncovered in April of the following year, a process that protects them from the elements.