Nice review! One has been added to the list. I am starting to notice how alot of us are starting to become partial to Mengahi, though they are mass produced probably plantation cakes they produce an excellent quality product for the price.thanks wrote:2008 Menghai "Springtime Water" sheng 500g
Source: YSLLC
Astringency not too bad
Smoke none
Dryness very little, unless bullied
Mouthfeel above average
Hui gan some +
Flavor good, vibrant!
Overall value fantastic
Purchase again yes, of course.
Oily, vibrant, young, energetic. These are pretty good ways of describing the Springtime Water cake from Menghai. A fantastic bang for buck weighing at roughly a pound for a mere $13.70! Be mindful of it's age and tenacity, use slightly less leaf than you normally would and this tea shows you an evolving flavor over infusions, pushing it tends to provide excellent results that differ from the last infusion, while only gaining slightly in a good bitterness and astringency. This is quite simply a surprise tea, a sleeper hit Dayi release for 08. I've not heard anyone even mention this cake this year, and it's really quite a shame. If you're looking for that cake to round out your next order from YSSLC, think twice and take a gamble. I'm sure if you don't agree with me now you might in a few years. Good tea for the money.
Nov 20th, '08, 20:56
Posts: 1633
Joined: Feb 15th, '08, 10:15
Location: Pennsylvania
Thanks for the kind words.
Menghai is responsible for some of the most legendary teas and tea recipes in the whole world. Their ownership of plantations on several famous mountains, their great recipes and attention to detail (regardless of being mass produced), their fair prices, and their consistency prove to be a safe bet year after year. I can only assume people overlook them because they're the big guys, their cakes don't look beautiful, and they're cheap or something.
With that being said, however, Menghai is not the only brand I follow. I follow wherever good tea is, it just so happens that 08 is my "year of Menghai". I'm really trying to establish a solid collection of Menghai stuff this year for aging. I hope no one around here thinks me to be a Menghai fanboy and nothing else.
Menghai is responsible for some of the most legendary teas and tea recipes in the whole world. Their ownership of plantations on several famous mountains, their great recipes and attention to detail (regardless of being mass produced), their fair prices, and their consistency prove to be a safe bet year after year. I can only assume people overlook them because they're the big guys, their cakes don't look beautiful, and they're cheap or something.
With that being said, however, Menghai is not the only brand I follow. I follow wherever good tea is, it just so happens that 08 is my "year of Menghai". I'm really trying to establish a solid collection of Menghai stuff this year for aging. I hope no one around here thinks me to be a Menghai fanboy and nothing else.
Nov 20th, '08, 21:34
Posts: 1633
Joined: Feb 15th, '08, 10:15
Location: Pennsylvania
Ok Scott from YSLLC contacted me and he is going to carry these teas-puerhking wrote:I will be interested to see what Scott says about this company and any tasting notes he may reveal.Goose wrote:Scott did get back to me. He will investigate this company and see about sourcing this tea.I will update ASAP.Goose wrote:I had sent Scott at YSLLC an email about this Yuan Nian Yi Wu 2007
tea earlier today-I will report his reply.
Jim
Gathering of Heroes -
8848 Meters Above Sea Level -
Yi Wu -
Jiang Cheng -#4 Raw Cake -
Scott did taste them and is very pleased with the cost/value of them. He did mention the beng are stone pressed.
He is offering the members here a direct price so drop him an email at
yunnansourcing@gmail.com
Jim
Nov 20th, '08, 22:38
Posts: 5151
Joined: Dec 20th, '06, 23:33
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Gainesville, Florida
This is why we love you, Thanks, for finding us hidden gems like this!thanks wrote: This is quite simply a surprise tea, a sleeper hit Dayi release for 08. I've not heard anyone even mention this cake this year, and it's really quite a shame. If you're looking for that cake to round out your next order from YSSLC, think twice and take a gamble.
I'm all about value!Salsero wrote:This is why we love you, Thanks, for finding us hidden gems like this!thanks wrote: This is quite simply a surprise tea, a sleeper hit Dayi release for 08. I've not heard anyone even mention this cake this year, and it's really quite a shame. If you're looking for that cake to round out your next order from YSSLC, think twice and take a gamble.
Nice job following up on that Jim......thanks for doing that.Goose wrote:Ok Scott from YSLLC contacted me and he is going to carry these teas-puerhking wrote:I will be interested to see what Scott says about this company and any tasting notes he may reveal.Goose wrote:Scott did get back to me. He will investigate this company and see about sourcing this tea.I will update ASAP.Goose wrote:I had sent Scott at YSLLC an email about this Yuan Nian Yi Wu 2007
tea earlier today-I will report his reply.
Jim
Gathering of Heroes -
8848 Meters Above Sea Level -
Yi Wu -
Jiang Cheng -#4 Raw Cake -
Scott did taste them and is very pleased with the cost/value of them. He did mention the beng are stone pressed.
He is offering the members here a direct price so drop him an email at
yunnansourcing@gmail.com
Jim
2005 Chun Ming Fengshan (Phoenix mountain) "702" Spring Tips Pu-erh Tea
Purchased from YSLLC - now out of stock - I think I paid $13 for it
Astringency - none
Smoke - slight bit
Dryness - none
Mouthfeel - good
Hui gan - not detecting any
Flavor - quite good
Overall value - very good
Purchase - if I can find more I will
When I first purchased this cake I was not too impressed. A couple of years later I am diggin it quite a bit. Flavors of honey, herbs and a slight bit of smoke on the finish....and with later infusions a bit of carmel. The finish is quite long...one of the longest Ive come across. Overall a great value that I wish I had purchased more of. But thats the nature of the beast.
Purchased from YSLLC - now out of stock - I think I paid $13 for it
Astringency - none
Smoke - slight bit
Dryness - none
Mouthfeel - good
Hui gan - not detecting any
Flavor - quite good
Overall value - very good
Purchase - if I can find more I will
When I first purchased this cake I was not too impressed. A couple of years later I am diggin it quite a bit. Flavors of honey, herbs and a slight bit of smoke on the finish....and with later infusions a bit of carmel. The finish is quite long...one of the longest Ive come across. Overall a great value that I wish I had purchased more of. But thats the nature of the beast.
Nov 24th, '08, 16:31
Posts: 1633
Joined: Feb 15th, '08, 10:15
Location: Pennsylvania
Yunnan Tea Co. Premium Alliance.
5 grams-130 ml. yixing
15 sec. wash
15 sec 1st steep.
Astringency- medium/lots
smoke- none
Dryness-little
Mouthfeel- good
Hui gan- some
Flavor- good+
overall value - I'd pay $20-25/357g.
Purchase - for $25, yes
I got this sample out of the pu pass so I dont know a whole lot about it. I'm guessing its a 2005-2006 by the color. Nice whole leaves, wonderful smell dry and wet. Astringency is fairly heavy so I think this would be a great candidate for aging. Hui gan should develop nicely with time as should the mouth feel which is still a bit tingly at this point. Dont know the price but I'd be willing to pay 20-25 for it but thats just because I'm on a budget. For some $45 might be a good deal. So all in all a very good tea, that will improve greatly with further aging.
I believe Salsero provided me with this sample so many thanks to Sal! If that is incorrect please excuse me.
5 grams-130 ml. yixing
15 sec. wash
15 sec 1st steep.
Astringency- medium/lots
smoke- none
Dryness-little
Mouthfeel- good
Hui gan- some
Flavor- good+
overall value - I'd pay $20-25/357g.
Purchase - for $25, yes
I got this sample out of the pu pass so I dont know a whole lot about it. I'm guessing its a 2005-2006 by the color. Nice whole leaves, wonderful smell dry and wet. Astringency is fairly heavy so I think this would be a great candidate for aging. Hui gan should develop nicely with time as should the mouth feel which is still a bit tingly at this point. Dont know the price but I'd be willing to pay 20-25 for it but thats just because I'm on a budget. For some $45 might be a good deal. So all in all a very good tea, that will improve greatly with further aging.
I believe Salsero provided me with this sample so many thanks to Sal! If that is incorrect please excuse me.
2005 Jiu Wan * Old Tea Horse Road * Raw Pu-Erh Tea Cake 357g
http://cgi.ebay.com/2005-Jiu-Wan-Old-Te ... m153.l1262
Astringency- some
smoke- medium
Dryness- some
Mouthfeel- good
Hui gan- some if you consider it returning flavor
Flavor- good+
Overall value - good
Purchase again - maybe
Tightly rolled and compressed make it a bit difficult to measure amount as I dont use a scale. First couple of brews were a bit astringent and smokey. Pulled some leaf out for other brews. Notes of smoke, honey, herbs, wood and some maturing flavors. Has nice lingering flavors on finish but little sweetness. I think this will improve in a couple of years but I am not certain. The Chun Ming cake was better. I like this one but right now I am not compelled to buy another. Will try again in six months.
http://cgi.ebay.com/2005-Jiu-Wan-Old-Te ... m153.l1262
Astringency- some
smoke- medium
Dryness- some
Mouthfeel- good
Hui gan- some if you consider it returning flavor
Flavor- good+
Overall value - good
Purchase again - maybe
Tightly rolled and compressed make it a bit difficult to measure amount as I dont use a scale. First couple of brews were a bit astringent and smokey. Pulled some leaf out for other brews. Notes of smoke, honey, herbs, wood and some maturing flavors. Has nice lingering flavors on finish but little sweetness. I think this will improve in a couple of years but I am not certain. The Chun Ming cake was better. I like this one but right now I am not compelled to buy another. Will try again in six months.
Nov 24th, '08, 17:43
Posts: 5151
Joined: Dec 20th, '06, 23:33
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Gainesville, Florida
If it is the one I put in there, it is the "2007 Yunnian Tea Co “Premium Alliance” cake." That's one of them that Jim was considering getting sent over here from Kunming via the slow boat. That company seems also to be called Yun Nan Yuen Nian Tea Co.. It was $5.99 from vins_n_tea the here-today-gone-tomorrow ebay guy.shogun89 wrote: Yunnan Tea Co. Premium Alliance.
To refresh your memory: http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?t= ... ht=yunnian
My own review of it is in the Puerhshop reviews thread ... and now yours will also be there!
http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?p= ... nian#75205
I thought you got this one.......Salsero wrote:If it is the one I put in there, it is the "2007 Yunnian Tea Co “Premium Alliance” cake." That's one of them that Jim was considering getting sent over here from Kunming via the slow boat. That company seems also to be called Yun Nan Yuen Nian Tea Co.. It was $5.99 from vins_n_tea the here-today-gone-tomorrow ebay guy.shogun89 wrote: Yunnan Tea Co. Premium Alliance.
To refresh your memory: http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?t= ... ht=yunnian
My own review of it is in the Puerhshop reviews thread ... and now yours will also be there!
http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?p= ... nian#75205
http://cgi.ebay.com/2007-Yuan-Nian-Gath ... m153.l1262
am I wrong?
I'm going to opening up this one in a little bit and sampling it in my gaiwan.
http://cgi.ebay.com/2007-Yuan-Nian-Yi-W ... m153.l1262
I'll let you all know what I think about it. I also 2 of this one http://cgi.ebay.com/2007-Yuan-Nian-4-Ra ... m153.l1262 so I might sample that aswell. A tong of any one of those 5 yuan nian cakes are $40-$50 depending on which one you want.
http://cgi.ebay.com/2007-Yuan-Nian-Yi-W ... m153.l1262
I'll let you all know what I think about it. I also 2 of this one http://cgi.ebay.com/2007-Yuan-Nian-4-Ra ... m153.l1262 so I might sample that aswell. A tong of any one of those 5 yuan nian cakes are $40-$50 depending on which one you want.
Nov 24th, '08, 19:27
Posts: 1633
Joined: Feb 15th, '08, 10:15
Location: Pennsylvania
I've been looking at both of them, Please be sure to tell us your thoughts because that is a tong I could actually afford. Shipping is the killer though. . . .PolyhymnianMuse wrote:I'm going to opening up this one in a little bit and sampling it in my gaiwan.
http://cgi.ebay.com/2007-Yuan-Nian-Yi-W ... m153.l1262
I'll let you all know what I think about it. I also 2 of this one http://cgi.ebay.com/2007-Yuan-Nian-4-Ra ... m153.l1262 so I might sample that aswell. A tong of any one of those 5 yuan nian cakes are $40-$50 depending on which one you want.