’04 Golden Sail Tuo

’04 Golden Sail Tuo is a 250g CNNP/Zhongcha ripe puerh that owns the distinction of being “for export.”  There’s English on the wrapper in case there’s any question and struck the Puerh Junky’s fancy as it comes under the name of the Guangdong ZC branch.

In case you’re thinking that the Golden Sail is wet or humid due to its origins, perish the thought.  This tuo is bone dry.  I mean bone dry.  There is no hint of humidity.  The leaves before meeting water give off a slight soy sauce aroma.  Good enough.  Wet, there’s a cocoa aroma.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.  The tuo is moderately pressed.  The tea separates from the tuo with little effort.  Chunks can be accessed just by breaking off with your hand.  This is unusual for tuo.

Golden Sail also brews up with spectacular clarity.  Long infusions will not hurt its feelings and the broth is a gorgeous ruby.  Speaking of long infusions, go ahead infuse to your heart’s content.  This little shou is incredibly forgiving.  Now for the taste. . .

You say you like newspaper, that old book vibe in your ripes?  There’s an ever so slight hint of camphor in the finish.  I might have imagined a hint of berry in a few sessions.  Did I mention that this puerh is dry?  That dryness carries over into a subdued sweetness.  All the flavors hint, but as a result it carries more astringency than most ripes offered in the collection.

If you’re hankerin’ for newspaper and subtle flavors with astringency, this is the tuo of a lifetime.  If you aren’t I strongly advise to say clear.

.24¢