1999 Aged Muzha Tieguanyin Oolong Tea, Lot 235

Sometimes we get to be pleasantly surprised by exceptional teas without looking for them. These findings are purely circumstantial, and most often happen when we are not in working mode. This is one of those finds. We always enjoy going up into the surrounding hills when visiting Taipei. This area also happens to be one of the first to be planted with Chinese tea bushes in Taiwan in the 19th century and the presence of the Tie Guan Yin strand is very common and well adapted to these hills. The town of Muzha is particularly reputed for its traditional style, higher-oxidized oolong teas. It is also an area that has a long-standing tradition around the craft of aging tea. A casual stop at one of the famous tea houses for the required afternoon tea eventually turned in to multiple tea tasting session fuelled by good conversation with the owners. Every cup was pleasant, but then came this tea. It has everything one must expect from a good aged tea, and this is rare: a smooth, layered complexity that challenges the palate but never aggresses it. The dried fruits are there, the roasted nuts, the caramelized sweetness and the spiciness. Everything is there in a perfect harmonious balance. And this one has body and persistence, which is not common! This is often the sign of a well fired tea showing the skill of its maker. This tea is already good despite it’s relative young age, it will become a stellar one if allowed to age, if you can resist not drinking it now… Enjoy!