XiaoPu Tangerine 2024 is a distinctive Chinese orange wine crafted predominantly from Chardonnay, with small inclusions of aromatic varieties that add lift and complexity. It comes from XiaoPu, the nomadic project founded in 2017 by winemaker Ian Dai Hongjing, whose work focuses on low-intervention expressions of site across some of China’s most dynamic vineyard regions, particularly Ningxia.

The fruit is sourced from the rugged Doves Mountain area, where high altitude, intense sunlight and dramatic diurnal shifts shape wines of both concentration and freshness. Fermentation occurs with gentle skin contact, extracting texture, phenolic grip and aromatic nuance without overwhelming the wine’s natural balance. It is then matured in seasoned, neutral oak, allowing slow evolution and integration while preserving purity of fruit.

In the glass, it shows a luminous amber hue. The aromatic profile is both vibrant and layered, with notes of grapefruit, kumquat and fresh apricot leading into more savoury and complex tones of bamboo salt, dried citrus peel, honeysuckle and oolong tea. Subtle oxidative hints and a delicate herbal edge add further intrigue.

The palate is supple yet energetic, with a fine tannic structure from the skins giving shape and tension. Bright, natural acidity drives the wine, carrying flavours of preserved citrus, stone fruit and gentle spice through a long, textured finish. There’s a tactile quality here that feels both grounded and alive, reflecting the raw, windswept character of Ningxia’s landscape.

Unfined, unfiltered and made with minimal intervention, XiaoPu Tangerine 2024 captures the exploratory spirit of modern Chinese natural winemaking — a wine that is as much about place and philosophy as it is about flavour.