2007 Twelve Gentlemen Wei Zhong Wei Yiwu

Leaf: A big difference between the two origins, this is far more fragmented, and has apparently opened less in the infusion (hence less power) but don’t ask me why as the dry leaf chunks were looking very similar. Wet leaf smells of energetic mountain-grown sheng.
Tasting notes: A beige, somewhat lifeless colour. There is little obvious aroma, showing withdrawn and low-key similarly to the 2006 vintage reviewed yesterday. Attack is typical of ‘green’ puer (tobacco, minor mushroom) but later there is a bean-like chewiness I find unattractive. Clean and transparent. Medium length and average power. This is really tasting a bit bland compared to the Menghai: the difference in impact is quite vast. Another session in gaiwan (4g / 120ml) confirms this impression, and needs pretty long infusion times at the beginning for the leaves to soften and unfold. Even further brewing (#3 through 6, ranging from 30s to 1m) yield a darkish beige colour but still very little grip. Clean, very dry-stored, with good promise through its leaf quality, but if you like kick in your sheng, this is not for you.