2003 CNNP "Mengsong Qiao Mu Iron Cake" Raw Pu-erh Tea Cake

Superb tea

Extremely well aged, clean taste - steeps shift from woods and incense to mushroom broth.

This tea was an initial challenge for me-I was too aggressive on the first brew and brought out too much minerality. I found a balance of 3g in a 200 ml gaiwan at 205 F. for15 seconds. This 21 year old tea has some fortitude which is just what I was looking for. I can leave the wet leaf in a covered gaiwan overnight and pick up the next day. There is a definite slight camphor note aroma when I sniff the leaves that have been sitting overnight but its not carried over to taste. As you said about the "Calligraphy "tea, "it just makes me feel good drinking it" this tea is interesting, complex, fragrant and induces a pleasant relaxed feeling. Thanks for sourcing it. .

Quiet churches and stables

Sour fruits, eucalyptus, leather, resin, autumn leaf piles, tobacco, a hint of brandy. Powerful, thick - strong sensations. Later steeps develop herbal and medicinal qualities. Complex and very enjoyable