Produced in 2000, this Menghai ripe spent its first years aging in Menghai and then continued in Kunming, a clean, natural progression that has shed any wet-pile roughness and layered in mature depth. The cup is dark, thick, and soothing, with that classic aged cacao–camphor profile and a gently warming energy. Why it’s special Early-vintage Menghai shou with tidy fermentation and long, clean storage (Menghai → Kunming) No wo-dui funk; instead you get smooth cocoa, sandalwood, and cooling camphor Loose leaf that brews surprisingly long, easy, flavorful steeps well past the usual 6–8 rounds Tasting notes Aroma: dark cocoa, sandalwood, faint camphor, red date Liquor: deep mahogany; glossy, “soupy” density Flavor: cacao nib and brown sugar up front; camphor and cedar rise in mid-cup; hints of dried longan Mouthfeel: thick, coating, silk-smooth with no astringency Finish & feel: lingering sweetness with comforting hui gan and kou gan; mild, warming cha qi Origin & processing Region: greater Menghai area, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Type: ripe (shou) pu-erh, traditional wet-piling Vintage: 2000 Storage: natural aging in Menghai, then dry Kunming storage to present Format: loose leaf (散茶) Brewing guide Gongfu (recommended) 6–7 g per 100 ml 100 °C water Two quick rinses, then 10 s • 12 s • 15 s • 20 s • 25 s, adding time slowly; 8–12 infusions common Western / mug 4–5 g per 300 ml 96–100 °C for 3–4 minutes; 2–3 steeps Grandpa style 1–1.2 g per 100 ml 95–100 °C; top up as you sip for a mellow, cocoa-sweet cup Tips: If you like more camphor and wood, extend the middle steeps slightly. For maximum clarity, use fresh boiling water and pre-warm all vessels. Good to know Caffeine: medium-low to medium (gentle, cozy session) In short: a clean, well-matured year-2000 Menghai shou, thick, chocolatey, and quietly camphorous—with the stamina and poise that make aged loose ripe so satisfying.
