While tasting teas made in 2013, they, in general, taste/feel quite good to me, unlike the new teas I had in 2011/12 which mostly felt quite boring to me.
Anyone else feeling that 2013 could be a particularly nice year? Or is it just luck I have with my samples?
Re: 2013 a good year?
I don't really go much by year. I can say that 2009 was an outstanding year, and probably 2003. It's hard to generalize years because it matters exactly when you pick the leaves (relative to rains at a specific place), and there seems to be more fashions about processing that cycle through those years as well.
People have also unnecessarily trashed a year, like 2007, or 2004 and 2005. Puerh is not really like wine. If there was only one picking time per bush/tree, it would be, but it's not.
From my perspective, I have not had any tea from 2013 (but will try one in a week or so), but in general, my impression is that overall puerh quality has been declining from droughts and overpicking. My judgement from 2012 tea is that just about anything new worth buying and storing today (my standards) will cost about $150+/400g, and of course, only from the right vendors/brands. Remember, a Yihe Tea Factory Manzhuan 2012, that at least does the minimum of all the right things, but without qi, costs about $80 for 357g. No way. Either I pony up for the real stuff, I don't look at new stuff at all, or I look for acceptable cheap new tea to drink every day. Option B would probably be my choice.
As for Chinese perspectives, what they see as their chief issues is adulteration, the general expense, and pesticides to some degree. There is definitely talk about degrading quality of Bindao and Xigui this year, both in terms of the tea and in the quality of their care and local landscape. It might be a hassle to get very high quality Banna, but it may be the case that there is more control over the groves and some degree of interest in shearing, rather than flaying the arbor.
People have also unnecessarily trashed a year, like 2007, or 2004 and 2005. Puerh is not really like wine. If there was only one picking time per bush/tree, it would be, but it's not.
From my perspective, I have not had any tea from 2013 (but will try one in a week or so), but in general, my impression is that overall puerh quality has been declining from droughts and overpicking. My judgement from 2012 tea is that just about anything new worth buying and storing today (my standards) will cost about $150+/400g, and of course, only from the right vendors/brands. Remember, a Yihe Tea Factory Manzhuan 2012, that at least does the minimum of all the right things, but without qi, costs about $80 for 357g. No way. Either I pony up for the real stuff, I don't look at new stuff at all, or I look for acceptable cheap new tea to drink every day. Option B would probably be my choice.
As for Chinese perspectives, what they see as their chief issues is adulteration, the general expense, and pesticides to some degree. There is definitely talk about degrading quality of Bindao and Xigui this year, both in terms of the tea and in the quality of their care and local landscape. It might be a hassle to get very high quality Banna, but it may be the case that there is more control over the groves and some degree of interest in shearing, rather than flaying the arbor.
Re: 2013 a good year?
2005 was a fantastic year. That year has perfect weather for tea to grow in abundance. The Puer market at that year also at the height of Renaissance period. If you are there watching the production you will be delighted. The harvest was abundant and the quality was good. The weather was perfect. The tea cakes dried almost immediately during sun drying process after compression. In taste, I have similar tea from different years by the same producer but the 2005 ones really stand above the rest.
Well, it is just my personal experience and observation.
Well, it is just my personal experience and observation.
Aug 3rd, '13, 10:53
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Re: 2013 a good year?
Interesting information in so many levels...Teaism wrote:2005 was a fantastic year. That year has perfect weather for tea to grow in abundance. The Puer market at that year also at the height of Renaissance period. If you are there watching the production you will be delighted. The harvest was abundant and the quality was good. The weather was perfect. The tea cakes dried almost immediately during sun drying process after compression. In taste, I have similar tea from different years by the same producer but the 2005 ones really stand above the rest.
Well, it is just my personal experience and observation.
Re: 2013 a good year?
With the current price levels, everything would need to be damn good for me to buy something new instead of 5-6 year old for the same money.
I wonder what the autumn pickings will look like with record high temperatures in east China (idk if Yunnan was affected).
I wonder what the autumn pickings will look like with record high temperatures in east China (idk if Yunnan was affected).
Re: 2013 a good year?
Good point my friend. Price and quality may or may not correlated to each other nowadays. We have to be super extra prudent to consider any tea.ChengduCha wrote:With the current price levels, everything would need to be damn good for me to buy something new instead of 5-6 year old for the same money.
I suspect the hot weather will be another excuse for further price increase.
Sigh...
Aug 7th, '13, 08:16
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Joined: Mar 10th, '11, 08:17
Location: on top of a mountain.
Re: 2013 a good year?
I have only tried afew of tea urchins 2013 teas so far but there was a very big improvement over his previous years. His " snake" blend was excellent. His Lao manee was quite good as well.