Boss Square Reprise
On solstice 2022, the Puerh Junky received a shipment containing an item that he’s been trying to track down since acquiring in ’17. It’s the Boss Square. I ended up getting it from the same vendor as before, the vendor from whom I’ve acquired most of my GPE stash. It seemed like an interesting idea to list what I wrote about the Boss Square some five years ago. Quite a bit has changed since then, not the least of which is having a modicum of understanding about GPE itself.
Gu Puerh started its exploits in 1999. As often stated, the breaking of the tea monopoly known simply as Zhongcha witnessed the spawning of numerous private ventures that were previously branded under the Zhongcha label. Often these factories were supplying to the big three, Menghai TF, Xiaguan TF, and Kunming TF. This factor contributes in no small part to my skepticism around the craze around Menghai/Dayi productions. To be honest, I cannot say just how much “better” Dayi actually is. I don’t bother drinking them with the exception of a sample or two that I’m gifted. The Puerh Junky is not particularly inclined toward buying hype, favouring a “less well trod” path.
Aside from the dissolution of the monopoly, many of the Menghai TF braintrust were forced to break out for new pastures, setting up factories of their own, e.g., Haiwan, Xinghai, Boyou, and Pengcheng to name a few. Some of these individuals, aside from having their own operations, are commissioned by other factories for specific productions or have a significant hand in operations of other factories, such as Ms Du Qiongzhi and Ms Wang Xia. It is this latter who is much more highly regarded and is known for several famous productions.
The Boss Square, first introduced in 1999, was created by Wang Xia. It won the Annual International Tea Expo hosted in Guangzhou that year. That ’99 version, if it can be found, is a collectors’ item. Any other version, I’ve only seen the ’07, is definitely worth snatching up. There are many GPE raw squares on the market. It’s often difficult to discern them from the ZC offerings and the numerous other replicas from other factories. The GPE raw square is also crafted by Wang Xia. Fakes for this size seem to be plentiful, but it seems to be usually for the ZC offering.
Wang Xia seems to have the Simao region under her wing. In at least one previous post, I noted some confusion over whether GPE and the Simao TF were one in the same. This post is mistaken, btw. They are the same. This question arose in the course of purchasing two bazhong productions both associated with the Simao TF. Only within the past six months did I learn that the bazhong A, one which I’ve written about on more than one occasion, is actually a Wang Xia production. The thing is, Wang Xia has her own operation also bearing the name Simao in the title. I’ve not gone so far as to discover the gory details. Below is the copy of the original Boss Square description.
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Of all the ripes I have in my collection, since acquiring this this summer of ’17, I keep it most at the ready. The conveniently renamed ’07 Boss Square Puerh comes from the Simao Tea Factory, which I believe was designated with the #5 back in the day of the state-operated system.
This is a flawlessly rich ripe puerh. Zero tannins. High-impact delivery of chocolately goodness. No dank, earthy, interesting microbial musing necessary. In the hot zisha dry it gives off none of the saltiness so common among productions. Wet in the cup, the wafting aroma from the pitcher is evident. Grains and malt.
The gan is evident very quickly and lasts and lasts in the mouth and from one infusion to the next. In order to get past the tannins, many productions require over-brewing or are best when brewed for more than a minute. After the second infusion, 10s I found to be too much for this. The release is rich with just 5s. And the qi is full and expansive in the chest. The mouth is active.
This is an exceptional ripe production and for experienced drinkers.
