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Youle (Jinuo) 2023 Sheng
🇨🇳 China

Youle (Jinuo) 2023 Sheng

Yōu Lè 2023 Shēng · 攸乐 2023 生 (攸樂 2023 生)

puerh-sheng · bing · ancient-tree

Youle Mountain — also called Jinuo Mountain after the Jinuo ethnic group whose ancestors cultivated tea here — is the southwesternmost of the Six Famous Ancient Tea Mountains of Mengla County, opposite Gedeng across the LuoSuo River. Some of the surviving ancient tea trees are claimed to date to the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE). The cup is unusual for a Six Famous Mountain: intensely bitter on opening with a quick sweet flip, faint aroma, and a light orange-yellow liquor — much closer to a bold Bulang style than to neighbouring Yibang or Manzhuan.

Quick facts

Region
Youle Mountain (Jinuo)
Harvest year
2023
Harvest season
spring
Shape
bing
Cultivation
ancient-tree
Cultivars
Da Ye Zhong (Large-Leaf Varietal)

Brewing

Leaf
5.0 g / 100 ml
Water
100°C
Rinse
yes
Gongfu steeps (s)
5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45

Use less leaf and shorter early steeps than for Yiwu — Youle's opening is bold and bitter. The quick bitter-to-sweet flip is the marker; gentle aroma is normal for this mountain.

Calculate leaf weight for this tea

Tasting notes

Aroma
bitter herb, faint floral, mineral
Flavor
intensely bitter, quick sweet flip, light orange-yellow
Mouthfeel
thick, structured
Finish
cooling, long

Aging potential

Like other Mengla ancient gardens Youle ages well over 15-20 years; the bitterness softens and a deep mineral honey emerges.

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