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2004 vintage

That very long time since I posted on my blog ...... lack of time (always the good excuse), and lack of interesting things to tell. In a few days, October 29, more precisely, I go to the "World O-Cha Festival 2010" being held in Shizuoka from 28 to 31. I hope this is a rich and full day!

But meanwhile, back on topic. My title? A gyokuro of 2004? Yes, although this is far from common, there are sometimes "old" gyokuro . Of course, this is kept under vacuum, but as a Japanese tea can be kept under vacuum without concern for over a year, all 5 or 6 years could be problematic. Indeed, I've never heard of this for a sencha, but for the gyokuro , yes. So I bought two gyokuro 2010 there are some week (one Uji and Yame presented here ), curiosity makes me also Yame (Fukuoka Prefecture) in 2004.

It is not uncommon with this type of product to see the opening of the bag as the leaves covered with a white powder. This is not a sign of impaired quality of tea, but only the shelf will literally vacuum out caffeine, which appears white to the leaf surface. Here, it is not. Splendid deep green leaves and bright. Nevertheless, signs of maturation may be, this green is quite frankly very unlike Gyokuro green fees which tends to Prussian blue.
Is it worth noting that this is the "same" Yame, as mentioned previously (here 2010 and by 2009 ), but in an earlier vintage? So cultivar Yamaki.

Also, same control in the perfect rolling of the leaves, straight, fine, as dazzling flashes of emerald. The

scent of the clear liquor confirms that leaves: a little tart, especially the perfume gyokuro ( Ooik ) is a little relief in favor of a sweet fragrance.

The flavor also shows different trends. Although very gentle and powerful, very close to this aspect of the version "new", 2010, the aftertaste of fresh and green it disappears here completely in favor of a milky flavor. Also, this "antique" gyokuro does not show the subtle touch of astringent and pungent gyokuro 2010. Growing trend over the infusions. And it after 3 or 4 infusions appears a small gene in my case: it concentrated amino acid, a little sickened. The first infusion, so soft and smooth, but very strong, is very attractive, but the length, it is sometimes happy to see a very slight astringency, like a breath of fresh air. For me what makes the charm of this gyokuro Yamae cultivar Yamaki, which disappears with age, the benefit of all the sweetness, a "candy", zero calorie course.
Nevertheless it is a great product, I think we have to choose her moment to enjoy it.