Yao Ming Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Professional Ratings

• 98 Wine Enthusiast
  We can debate the pricing on Yao Ming's new reserve, but what's undeniable, by any modern standard, is the wine's excellence. A blend of fruit from Atlas Peak and Rutherford, the wine is a barrel selection from the winery's regular 2010 output, and accounts for only about 20% of total production. The Cabernet Sauvignon is mixed with a little Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It's delicious in blackberry, cassis liqueur, dark chocolate and oak flavors, and well structured in acids and tannins. The wine should develop in the bottle for at least 10 years.
• 95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve possesses an opaque blue/purple color as well as a gorgeous bouquet of spring flowers, red and black fruits and subtle toasty oak. Full-bodied and impeccably made with beautiful texture, length and richness, it can be drunk now, but will stand the test of time for 15 or more years. I am aware of all the arguments that major celebrities lending their names to wines is generally a formula for mediocrity, but that is not the case with Yao Ming. These are high class wines. The two Cabernets are actually brilliant, and the Reserve bottling ranks alongside just about anything made in Napa.
• 94 James Suckling
  A red with complex aromas of bark, berry and shiitake mushrooms that follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins but a polished mouthfeel. Needs two to three years to come together but attractive tannin-fruit tension. Star style.