2019 ZSL Walong/ Tea Encounter

2019 Walong

This tea is the 2019 Walong from Zheng Si Long, which is a company that is founded and still produced by Mr. Zheng. Mr Zheng is a Yiwu native and a Pu Erh specialist that mainly deals with Yiwu & the surrounding six famous tea mountains.

Basic info about this special tea:

• Dayezhong Assamica Varietal
• 2019 Spring Tea.
• From Walong, Manzhuan, Mengla Yunnan
• Gushu

Temperature of Water ( 95-100 degrees celsius)

Brewing Vessel (100 ml Jingdezhen gaiwan)

Grams of Leaves ( 7 grams)

Steeping Time ( less than 10 seconds per infusion, and every  infusions increasing the time by 5-10 seconds)

Main Info

Number of Total Steepings: 12 strong infusions.

Aroma of Dry Leaves: Very sweet sticky honey, with some dry fruit and banana peel. 

Aroma of Wet Leaves: Intense sweet sweet honey, layered with a nice sandalwood spiciness with a mango undertone. 

Taste Profile: See Below

Texture Profile: Very bright, without much astriengency until later on in the steeps. Clear structure and very easy to understand the tea. Medium thick

Feeling/Aftertaste: Very strong sugarcane sweetness, that lasts around 20-30 min. Body is warming, especially around the forehead and the shoulders.

Price: 157 dollars/400 grams

Rating 8.4 out of 10.

First to Third steepings: Super sweet, little lilac but very pure old tree relaxing mouthfeel and throat feel with some lingering green floral that wraps barbecue pineapple. Very balance sweet subtle sheng. No smoke what so ever

Second to Fifth steepings : mango, peach with various other subtle florals and more slight astringency that comes in the way. However it’s nicely balanced and very sweet, with lovely lasting aftertaste. Some savoury, various aromatics and balance between the base notes and higher aromas was impeccable. The best. 

Sixth to Tenth steeping 

More vegital, with a strength that coats the mouth and the throat. Less fragrance, but more aggression in the mouth and in the throat. The general taste is poached veggies, grapefruit skin bitterness and lemon zest. Lasting huigan for about 10-15 min.

Eleven to Twelfth steeps

Lower register, very died down, more astringent. Slightly drying on the throat, and pretty much the very last infusions. Very light nutmeg aroma and super refreshing.

Conclusion 

In essence, this tea very sweet, and very enjoyable on any occasion. I personally think it could be thicker and last a bit longer, but 12 infusions is already not bad. The lasting aroma and very balanced notes were indications of the quality and meant that the leaf had potential. The energy was strong, but not too much. I would say for the value, it’s a very good choice and something I would consider having in my own collection. 8.3 /10