2006 Wild Lincang Shang Puerh

This tea sample was sent from Stephane of Teamasters a while ago. One checked his online store but apparently this wonderful cake is all sold out... a real pity. One was reminded about this sample a few months back when Hobbes from the Half Dipper did a tasting of this tea (which turned out to be a retasting).

The small, all too familiar, sample pack suggested using half the sample. After the pack was cut open and the soft sweet smell of the dry leaves was taken in, one opted to use the whole sample. One carefully separated some of the leaves from the tightly compressed hull section sample then laid them in small old yixing. With the water boiling at a soft rumble, the tea kettle now hung over the small pot. The leaves were rinsed. Then the first pot was prepared to enjoy.

This first light infusion hits the lips- light, sweet with just a touch of a pungent spice in its finish. This first infusion already shows signs of an expansive mouthfeeling as the whole mouth and throat is gently caressed with each sip. The qi too is quite evident from the first sip. It warms the middle jiao like a lightbulb being turned on in the innards. The warmth slowly resonates throughout.

The boling water is added to the leaves once more. A flash of juicy depth turns sweet then slowly stretches into a crisp alerting spice which lingers on the breath and warms the soul. The mouthfeel coats lips, full tongue, and throat in light pasty chalk. This tea is good... quite good.

The third infusion is prepared. Behind the overly enjoyable mouthfeel a subtle bitterness is now noticed. The taste becomes more pungent and its depth begins to be revealed.

In the fourth infusion one notices tangier notes; the fifth, the spicier notes give way to a longer sweet notes which really extend staying on the breath for as long as it wants; the sixth, more of a crispness; the seventh, a nice light fruitiness is noticed. All of these infusions are enjoyed under the steady backdrop of extended sweetness, far reaching and fully stimulating mouthfeel, and sedateively euphoric qi.

In the eighth, ninth, and tenth infusions the flavour is not as broad or long as it once was but it is just as deep. Spicy complexity hidden in sweet, a drier malty taste, and a mouthfeel that only seems to get better as the session progresses is savored.

There is a silky richness about the taste and feel of this tea that doesn't even waver very late into the session. As a result this tea is enjoyed for many, many infusions over the span of a few cloudy rainy winter days.

Thanks again Stephane.

Peace