A little background to this tea before review itself. It is, I assume, tea produced on Azores (so technically Portugal), there it was also processed as an oolong and then put into port wine barrels. Port wine, is actually Portugese national drink, so it will be an interesting tea, at least I have hoped for that when buying it in store of Teerausch during my trip through Germany last summer. Also, it is actually the same tea as SkySamurai had not so long ago, here her review: http://steepster.com/skysamurai/posts/438625
And now let’s talk about tea. I had it several times, prepared western and I haven’t tried it gongfu yet.
I assume as well it is a roasted oolong, which produces a lovely aroma when dry and even better one while wet. I notice roasted notes, but also red fruits, a little woody notes, red wine, but also a little bit mineral/earthy is there.
As of flavour, if you steep it long(er) enough, it can turn very flavourful, with again the roasted-red fruit-woody notes. It is not like port wine, but it is warming in very same way; also it is complex — the mineral/earthy notes are still there but so muted and they add just a lovely complexity to this tea.
I have to try it gongfu… and I would love to see another opinions (Leafhopper, there is a bit on the way to you), but I don’t think that many of you would order it just because my note.
What a thing, aging tea in wine barrels. I’m putting this on my list (you underestimate your power of suggestion)!