I appreciate the depth and clarity of this Yunwu, it is most certainly a mature & sophisticated representation of a popular cultivar. This one is pungent & complex, with some nuances that set it apart from other examples of Yunwu that I’ve tried in the past. The dry leaf aroma is strong and clear, with subtle traces of dark chocolate, perhaps a testament to the wild nature of these tea bushes. As the steam from my hot mug warms up the leaves, I get some hints of malted grains that begin to waft up from the cup. Regardless of how you brew it up, the soup is quite complex, with a full and round body that has well-developed notes of cucumber, squash, snow peas, and steamed spinach. There are some of the typical nutty undertones associated with Yunwu, and I also get some hints of cacao nibs. There are distinct overtones of fresh-cut florals, and a lingering sweetness that is pervasive from the initial sip through the aftertaste. This sweetness sits firmly in the back of the throat, creating a very soothing and pleasant sensation that lasts for a while. This is a very clean and refreshing tea, all the way through. Upfront, it’s powerful and will definitely grab your attention, and on the back-end, it’s very gentle and soft in its nature. It even resists turning bitter in the cup as the soup cools, which makes for an interesting session if you want to take your time sipping on this tea slowly and appreciating the subtle changes as the temperature drops gradually.
