2010 Wuyi Jin Jun Mai - 2nd Grade

A robust, red tea that is harvested in May to include a blend of downy buds and young leaves. A new Supreme grade red yan cha (rock grown) varital produce from wild tree grown at 1500M above sea level in Wuyi Nature Reserve. Created in 2005 to replicate the early Qing-Dynasty tribute red tea, it requires 60,000 to 70,000 buds to produces a pound of this rarities. Unfortunately, 90% of Jin Jun Mei on the market is fake because of this labour intense production.
This red tea’s early March harvest yields delicate buds with golden hairs.

Dry Leaf Aroma: Dark chocolate
Wet Leaf Aroma: Preserved fruit and spice
Body: The deep, bronze liquor offers up sweetly concentrated dried longan notes balanced by the expert roast. Earthy with a touch of spice, an exotic sweetness lingers after each sip. The rich, velvet texture carries the perfume of temple incense to the palate. The taste of preserved fruit persists through several infusions leaving a bright, lingering aftertaste.
Finish: Assertive mint and raisins
Qi: Warm and calming

1 Tasting Note

cultureflip

Some of you should be familiar with this seller’s standard by now. He’s picky and his teas are purdy good.

Dry aroma of sweet dark chocolate and nutmeg. Pour some boiling water on it and, lo, a strikingly pungent aroma of delicious pho broth and re-hydrated mushrooms. Smells like it wants to be salty.

The taste is an excellent woody malt with backdrops of wilted rose petal and cumin. The deep florals take prominence and the tannins sit soundly on the tongue with weight and structure. Later steeps blend the differing aspects of malt, broth and flora together quite artfully.

I haven’t had anything less than great from this guy’s shop so don’t be frightened by the seemingly astronomical prices of some of his teas. Even if you just get the sample sizes they are worth trying. There is an element of tea snobbery involved (that I’m sure he would admit to if confronted) but that’s only because of the time and effort put in to the careful selection of his stash. Look past the pomp and packaging and you will find superb tea. That is all.

2011-03-24 17:07:06 -0400

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