Top Shelf.
’09 Fujin Green
Presenting with a joyful aroma even in its dry state, the ’09 Fujin Green provides a chance to taste an entry-level production from a super glitzy factory, Fujin. This is a Menghai offering through and through, expressing a rock sugar and fruit signature without any hint of flowers or smoke. Stored in Los Angeles since Nov ’21.
’08 Nannuo
Nannuo exuberantly resides in the Floral Class, while imparting lemon accents at the top end of the drinking experience and at the end in the huigan. Excellent sweetness, expressed in the broth and in the huigan. Moderate and pleasing astringency provoking light salivation. Stored in LA since Sept ’22.
’08 Buddha Impressions
The first impressions of the broth are sweet, soft, and smooth but with a balancing. Little astringency. The mouthfeel is thick and round with a daisy chain of taste suggestions, particularly amaretto. Long, sticky-sweet huigan. Jinggu material from Jinggu TF. Stored in Los Angeles since Nov ’20.
’06 BZ Peacock Puerh
Descending from Menghai Factory (dubbed factory #2), Xinghai is highly regarded in Mainland. 2022 marked its 20th Anniversary. Consists of old tree Banzhang village proper (班章正寨老树）material, from the altitude of 1700 meters. Batch #601. Stored in Los Angeles since May ’20.
’05 Jingmai “003”
Reminiscent of white tea with an edge, not sharp but penetrating Jingmai florality. In LA since Mar ’18.
’05 Yiwu Prince
Turbinado sugar, bourbon vanilla, ginseng. Slick, thick, and no astringency. Superlative huigan sweet, mouthwatering, and very longlasting! Jinglong TF. Stored in Los Angeles since Oct ’20 and May ’24.
’04 Mengku Little
Gold-metal recipe of 2002. Little cake consists of Mengku region material including a rumored amount of Bingdao. Mengku Rongshi, reputable resolute “no spray” (i.e., pesticides) operation since inception. In LA since Mar ’24.
’03 Yiwu Princess
Transforming from heavy storage of old daisies, library must, and sweet vanilla to a vibrant sweet fresh daisy. Outstanding huigan, some bitterness and astringency reaching into the throat fully balancing the sweetness. Stored in Los Angeles since Aug ’19.
’03 Xiannong Tea Commission (Korea), Zhongcha 400g
Expressing a classic Yiwu apricot-grapefruit nose, this treasure’s conservative Guangdong storage adds a gentle layer of petrichor to a thread of vanilla. Guangdong dry stored, in Los Angeles since Mar ’22.
