Yao Family Wines

Growing up I always loved seeing NBA superstar Yao Ming come to town and play against my Seattle Supersonics. We always knew that we would have trouble with his massive size. I attended hundreds of Sonics games in my youth, and was able to witness some amazing teams with Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton. The Houston Rockets, one of their main rivals, drafted a relatively untested center named Yao Ming in 2002 with the first pick in the NBA draft. This became a serious coup for the Rockets and a huge challenge for other NBA centers to deal with Yao’s offensive and defensive abilities — and his 7’7’’ frame. Yao became an NBA sensation and one of the best players in the league, finally retiring after a series of injuries in 2011. 

Yao saw a great opportunity in launching Yao Family Wines that same year. Yao Family Wines sources from a host of great Napa Valley vineyards. The grapes are fermented and then aged up to 18 months in 100% French oak barrels and the best lots are then chosen for the final blend. The wines were beautiful across the board. I adored the 2018 Yao Family Wines Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 93) which is beautifully structured, with good finesse and flavor density. Learn more about these outstanding wines at yaofamilywines.com Here are the new wines by Yao Family Wines. 

2018 Yao Family Wines ‘Family Table’ Red Wine- Deeply concentrated, the 2018 ‘Family Table’ Red Wine displays lovely tobacco leaf and iodine flavors alongside black cherry cordial, mocha and shades of creosote on the palate. Enjoy this outstanding new wine over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2021-2033- 92

2018 Yao Family Wines Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 Yao Family Wines Cabernet Sauvignon is an outstanding effort from this great vintage throughout Napa Valley. Once on the nose this takes on layers of violets with espresso bean and rich dark fruit tones. The palate is dense and full-bodied with lovely black tea and blackberry compote flavors that collide with minerals and smoky undertones. Enjoy this outstanding effort over the next fifteen years. Drink 2021-2035- 93