PINE AND WIND | 2015 Raw Xi Gui (Mengku) Pu Er

INTENSITY AND SWEETNESS. This Mengku pu er starts with an nose reminicent of fresh pine needles and ends with the sweetness of pine pollen. Excellent mouthfeel. Still youthful, this tea has the structure to evolve gracefully over the next 10 to 15 years.

Acquired from the collection of our generous friend Zhang Tao, these tea cakes have beautifully picked small leaves and offer a highly appealing 'tea drunk' experience.

Our suggestion: get at least two; drink one now and the rest in a few years.

Origin: Xi Gui, Lincang, Yunnan

Steward of the ancient trees: Liao Hongzhong

Pressing: 2015 (likely with 2014 or 2013 leaves)

XIGUI - MUST EXPLORE TEA ORIGIN

Xigui trees grow on the steep slopes of Manglu Mountain, where the land falls sharply toward the Lancang River. The gardens sit in a warm, humid river-valley climate, with strong sun, moving air and frequent moisture rising from below. The terrain drains quickly, and the old tea trees grow in deeply weathered red soils among mixed forest vegetation. This combination of heat, slope, moisture and well-drained soil gives Xigui tea its characteristic intensity: aromatic, concentrated and energetic, yet capable of remarkable clarity.

This 2015 raw pu’er captures that landscape beautifully. It opens with the fresh, resinous scent of pine needles, then develops a softer sweetness reminiscent of pine pollen. The liquor has excellent weight and texture, with enough strength to feel vivid without becoming coarse. Xigui is worth exploring because few terroirs balance power and sweetness so naturally.