Helan Qingxue Jiabeilan Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is an award-winning 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Ningxia, China, widely recognised as one of the country's finest expressions of the variety. Grown in high-altitude vineyards at the foot of the Helan Mountains, it displays elegant aromas of cassis, blackberry, black cherry, cocoa, dried herbs, and subtle spice, complemented by notes of vanilla and fine French oak from 16 months of maturation. Full-bodied yet beautifully balanced, it offers silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, refined finish with impressive aging potential. Showcasing Bordeaux-like finesse and the unique terroir of Ningxia, this premium Cabernet Sauvignon pairs beautifully with roast lamb, grilled beef, game, and mature cheeses.

James Suckling | JS 95
Published: Jan 3, 2023

Wines from Helan Qingxue often represent the more refined and balanced facade of Ningxia. The richer 2019 vintage is still in line with this classic style. Subtle cocoa powder, currants, roasted spices, salted plums, dried meat and olives give lots of detail to the nose. The medium-bodied palate has lots of juicy berry fruit with velvety tannins. While it shows the generosity of this vintage and its Ningxia terroir, this is still very much about elegance and fruit. Long and poised. Best ever? Shows Bordeaux-like finesse. Cabernet sauvignon. Decant! Expect complexity in 3 to 5 years. Drink or hold.

The Wine Advocate | RP 92
Published: Jan 26, 2024
Drink: 2023-2030

Helan Qingxue’s 2019 Jiabeilan Reserve is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and has a deep ruby appearance. On the nose, there is ripe cassis, blackberry and black cherry with sweet-scented pyrazine (mint, tomato vine) and well-integrated new oak notes of vanilla, clove and toast (this wine spent 16 months maturing in 40% new, small-format French oak). On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with ripe, coating and fine-grained tannins, some lifting acidity and well-integrated 14.5% alcohol, sporting a core of ripe, dark, leafy fruit complemented by sweet and savory new oak. With its moderate to longer length, this is approachable now and will also improve in bottle over the next 5-7 years or so.

Decanter Shanghai

Helan Qingxue Vineyard, the first demonstration vineyard in Ningxia, is located at the foot of Helan mountain at an altitude of 1,138 metres. With a 2.6-hectare vineyard of Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Marselan, Malbec among other varieties, the winery produces 60,000 bottles of wines per year.

In 2005, two legendary figures in the local wine industry, Rong Jian and Wang Fengyu, accompanied by a young winemaker, Zhang Jing, founded the winery, inviting Professor Li Demei to be their wine consultant.

The well-known Jia Bei Lan series of wines have won many awards in China and abroad, and in 2011, Jia Bei Lan Grand Reserve 2009 won an International Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), the highest honour in the competition.

Helan Qingxue Vineyard shows full respect to nature and the soil and is regarded as one of China’s great wineries. Helan Qingxue and its people are committed to producing wines of great distinction, with a sense of place.