2015 Mengku Gong Nong Raw Puerh
Private pressing from a Taiwanese producer, Shanghai stored.
Mengku Gong Nong is the signature pressing from Mr. Liao, produced almost every year. A classical expression of Western Mengku (Lincang region) character from a completely underrated village. Perfect balance of Lincang sweetness with full-bodied umami, with very minimal astringency even when pushed hard.
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 very 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.
Olivier Schneider wrote some interesting background on the ancient Gong Nong village, in the Da Xue Shan section of his blog "www.puerh.fr", well worth reading.
TASTE PROFILE
Medium bodied umami perfectly balanced with waves of yellow raisin sweetness and a layer of white musk. 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