2015 Mengku Gong Nong Raw Puerh

Private pressing from a veteran Taiwanese producer. 

A beautifully matured single-origin cake that offers the elegant drinking experience and dried fruit/pressed floral/deep qi character that some big-name Taiwanese brands aim for, but without the same markups.

Mengku Gong Nong is a single-origin tea from a remote village in the Lincang region, which has become a signature production for Mr Liao that he produces, almost every year for the past 20 years. This tea is a classical expression of Western Mengku terroir, from groves which have enjoyed a perfectly preserved ecology due to the remote location of this village. 

The excellent condition of the trees and the unique character of the soil and climate on these slopes have resulted in a tea that exhibits a beautiful balance of Lincang sweetness with full-bodied umami, with very minimal astringency even when pushed hard. With over a decade of aging, a rich dried apricot character has emerged, alongside notes of light brown sugar.

This is a personal favorite for us and a strong recommendation for a luxurious daily drinker or entry point to boutique terroir productions for newer drinkers.

TERROIR

Gong Nong village, despite being fairly close to Xi Gui, has escaped the crazy pricing of the latter area. This is a selection of high quality material from medium and older aged trees (no plantation or small trees), at a manageable price. The Bulang people in this area have a strong tradition of tea cultivation and production. Coupled with excellent ecological conditions and no over-harvesting, the tea from this region is delicious and has quietly gained prominence among insiders looking for alternatives to many of the over-priced Lincang names. 

TASTE PROFILE

Medium bodied umami perfectly balanced with waves of yellow raisin sweetness and a layer of white musk. A hint of rooty herbal pungency has begun to emerge, with age. High, rich and spicy aroma in the bottom of the cup, true to its Mengku origin. Eminently drinkable and well balanced with no rough edges and a slippery soup, this is a tea which doesn't demand special focus or fussy brewing to show its best.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER, MR. LIAO - click here