Robert Parker Calls Yao Ming's Wines "Brilliant"

22 Nov 2013 --- The Napa Valley Report in the Wine Advocate was released this month with the exciting inclusion of the 2010 Yao Family Wines: 2010 NAPA CREST (88 Points), 2010 Yao Ming Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (90 Points) and 2010 Yao Ming Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (95 Points) by Robert Parker.

In November 2011 Yao Ming announced the establishment of his Napa Valley wine company, Yao Family Wines and produces three wines: Yao Ming Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Yao Ming Family Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and NAPA CREST, a Napa Valley Red Wine Blend. Yao Family Wines sources grapes from prestigious Napa Valley vineyards with a reputation for excellent fruit and selects individual blocks to blend for flavor and texture, with the goal of creating world-class wines for people to share with family and friends.

Yao Ming recently commented, "We are extremely proud to receive such generous feedback from world-renowned wine critic, Robert Parker. These wines are made with great passion and dedication and it is exciting to be recognized for our efforts."

Robert Parker had this to say about Yao Family Wines, "The influx of well-known internationals to Napa Valley to produce wine is symbolic in Yao Ming's efforts. The world-famous Chinese basketball player is making Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, and reading his back label message there is a humility and candor that I found refreshing for such a bigger than life personality. I tasted three Yao Family Wines cuvees.

The least expensive offering is the 2010 Proprietary Red Napa Crest. Made from three Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot), it is a tasty, medium-bodied, richly fruity effort with a healthy dark ruby color, good spice, lots of black currant and incense notes, an attractive roundness, and a sensual, seductive personality. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.

The opaque ruby/purple-colored 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits attractive aromas of blueberry and blackberry liqueur, licorice and graphite. Seamlessly put together with ripe tannin, nicely integrated wood, acidity and alcohol, a rich, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, no hard edges and a long finish, this is an impressive wine that should drink well for 10-15+ years.

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."