This oolong is crafted by Lin Zhenwen, a well known tea master throughout Anxi for his skill in charcoal roasting. When done well, this technique coaxes various degrees of sweetness, fragrance and complexity from the tea leaves, becoming like a signature made on the tea. Every craftsman has a different one, and you will find Master Lin's distinct touch here. This tea is a blend of 3 different oolong varietals that grow in Master Lin's tea garden in Meizhuang Village. His intention with this tea was to craft a delicious traditional oolong suitable for everyday drinking. It was roasted in small batches, suspended in bamboo baskets over charcoal for 4 rounds over the course of 2 months. We taste this tea both for the fragrant Anxi tea leaves, and for how delicately they have been exposed to heat. This is a sweet and balanced year for this tea. We find fruity notes and a soft, long lasting sweetness. Its tannic structure emerges slowly, lifting the weight of the liquor into the centre of the palate. By the third infusion the dark roasted leaves have opened entirely and their charming character is fully expressed.
