1999 Vintage Yiwu Zhen Shan Raw Sheng Pu-erh Tea

This exceptional 1999 Sheng Pu-erh hails from the legendary tea mountains of Yiwu, Xishuangbanna, one of the six ancient Pu-erh tea mountains, a tribute tea region during the Qing dynasty. When Victoria first encountered this tea during her 2016 sourcing trip, she instantly recognized its authenticity and exceptional quality. 

This is what Victoria had to say. In my search for truly authentic, good quality aged Pu-erh, I had grown disillusioned with the market’s abundance of inauthentic or mediocre teas. Then, as often happens with life's rare treasures, this gem came to me when I least expected it.The tea was produced by a native Yiwu family Mr. Wu, pioneers in Pu-erh tea production who began crafting and selling their teas in the 1990s, amidst China's economic reforms and the revival of its tea culture. The Nei Fei (the small paper inside the tea cake bearing the producer's mark) carries the Lian Xin emblem, one of Yiwu's oldest and most respected producers.

This tea offers a transformative, enlightening sensory journey that expands the boundaries of taste. Over its 25 years of aging, it has undergone a remarkable evolution, rich in flavor and complexity. Early steeps feature a very noticeable ginseng aroma, characteristic of a well-aged Pu-erh tea. Very smooth and creamy texture, floral and woody notes complement the sweet aftertaste. A warm sensation with strong saliva and flow of energy soon kicks in and runs throughout your entire body. After seven or eight steeps the ginseng note becomes subtle, but a progression of creamy sweet notes follows. It gets even sweeter in the later steeps. A must-try for Pu-erh tea connoisseurs, it brings not just flavor, but a sense of contentment to the soul.

Additional Info

Origin:          Yi Wu township, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan province, China

Elevation:    1200 -1600 meters, Yunnan Da Ye (large leaves)

Tasting Notes

It has noticeable ginseng aroma, full bodied, very smooth and juicy, rich and complex flavor, quinoa and woody notes, with hints of fruits and dates, and a sweet aftertaste.