2019 Pretty Pony Ningxia Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Kanaan Winery

• Style: Full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot blend
• Taste: Ripe dark fruit, clove, vanilla, chocolate, graphite minerality
• Food: Roasted lamb, braised beef, charcuterie boards
• Occasion: Date Night; Gifting
• Serve: Room temperature or lightly chilled, 15% abv

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

This full-bodied red opens with clove and vanilla, deepening into chocolate and truffle as it breathes. A savoury thread of graphite and earth anchors the ripe fruit, giving the wine backbone and complexity that rewards unhurried sipping. The structure comes from 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, softened by 10% Merlot—a blend that balances grip with elegance.

The Winery — Kanaan Winery

Located at the foot of the Helan Mountains in Ningxia, roughly 1,000 km west of Beijing, Kanaan sits in what viticulturists call the 'golden zone'—where altitude above 1,000 metres, sharp day-night temperature swings, and an arid climate combine to produce grapes of real acidity and intensity. Founded in 2011 by Fang Wang, whose boldness in starting a winery without prior credentials earned her the nickname 'Crazy Fang', Kanaan has become one of China's most respected producers. The 2019 vintage benefited from abundant sunshine and lower-than-usual rainfall, ensuring healthier fruit. The wine was hand-picked, cold-soaked for several days, and aged 14 months in second-use French oak—a restrained approach that lets the vineyard's character emerge. At 15% abv with a pH of 3.4, it has the acidity and alcohol to age gracefully, though it drinks beautifully now.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This wine shines confidently on its own but truly excels alongside roasted meats, braised dishes, and carefully composed charcuterie boards. Its savoury backbone and mineral grip make it food-friendly across many cuisines. Vegetarian and vegan-friendly, it's a wine to share freely—ideal for date nights or as a thoughtful gift for anyone exploring fine wine from China's leading regions. Browse our Medium Bodied Red Wine selection to discover how these varieties perform across other terroirs.