’05 Jingmai Series

’05 Jingmai “003”, LCGC 125g.

To this humble taster’s mind the ’05 Jingmai “003” is reminiscent of a white tea with an edge, but that edge is not sharp, rather reflecting the sharp Jingmai florality. The “003” goes down thick and smooth, with a back end that emerges with sharp astringency and emergent high floral notes of a Jingmai.  There’s no mistaking that this is early spring tea.  In contrast to later productions, this creation possesses near pure-bud material.

LCGC is a boutique tea factory that specializes in “ba-qi,” the aggressive floral expression, though more famous for its ripes.  This is both in terms of its aroma and aftertaste.  The liquor goes down sweet, pleasant, and smooth.  Those who are experienced with tippy productions will find this aged treasure a delight.  Those who care to venture into the high end of productions that share a commonality with white tea should find this a suitable entry point.  Fortunately, this has been Kunming stored, which has preserved all of the high notes that would be lost in hotter and damper conditions.  Dry-stored, no humid notes.  Stored in Los Angeles since Mar ’18. 15g sample.

.79¢

’08 Tibetan Script Square, GPE 100g

Sturdy, sweet, refreshing.  Sturdy in the sense of possessing a full aroma, body, and texture. Trademark Jingmai orchid and vanilla fragrance.  Sweetness lasts for better than eight infusions.  Conservatively stored in Kumming subjected to moderate heat and even less humidity.  No smoke or humidity in nose or broth.  Deeper in bitterness become more prominent, though not overbearing.  Light astringency.  Refreshing qi and personality.  Filling.  Durable; 15 infusions seems conservative.  Once it opens flash infusion-stage is for a good 6-8 passes.  Even after, the thickness remains.  This is the square rendering of an ’07 special edition cake.  The material is excellent, suspiciously seems to have Wang Xia’s hand is in its production   Possibly one of her students.  Shengtai. 15g. sample.

45¢

’12 Fu, Zhongcha 357g

April 2016

Fu is a fruity and playful Zhongcha Jingmai puerh.  Dry-stored, without any hint of musk or smoke, Fu is part of the Heavenly Bestowed Tea Garden series that came out in 2012 along with two other productions, Yan and Run.  Nice fresca puerh that like any other Jingmai makes for a pleasant warm weather thirst slaker.  As its gotten older, more of the trademark Jingmai bitterness is coming through in later infusions.  Interestingly, “Fu” is commonly associated with “lucky”, but the character in this case (馥) conveys a sense of exquisite fragrance.  The kid in you will love how this fragrance plays in the mouth long after being drunk.  A decent introductory puerh, everyday drinker.  As with all CNNP productions after ’08, certified organic.  Stored in LA since ’14.  30g sample.

18¢

’12 Jingmai Old Tree Brick 250g

Traditionally processed Jingmai old tree brick that took seven years for sweetness to emerge.  Honey nose.  Big-leaf variety, huge mouthfeel.  Fruity/floral interplay with slight bitter accent, balanced astringency.   Boutique farmers only offering small quantities of old tree or wild Jingmai. Fostered in Los Angeles since ’15.  Fotos from ’15. Recent fotos Jun ’24. 30g sample.

25¢

’14  Jingmai GPE, 380g pictured above

The aroma with pops, evoking orchids and a fruity hard candy.  High quality raw material reflected through high viscosity, brewing durability, and progressive ferocity.  Deeper infusions take on a bracing Jingmai floral bitterness without conveying the sense that the tea has bottomed out or that it is immature.  Still, such a distinctive core suggests excellent storage potential.  Seriously tight compression.  Highly recommended offering for those who like ’em young and intense.  380g.

31¢