Rare 1998 Wild Arbor Ripe Puer Tea

1998 Wild Shou Puer Tea – A Vintage Treasure from Yunnan

Our 1998 Wild Ripe Shou Puer Tea is a rare and distinguished example of aged Yunnan dark tea, crafted from wild or wild-arbour tea trees, often significantly older and more naturally robust than plantation-grown bushes. Such wild-tree teas are prized for their complex depth, natural terroir character, and ageing potential.

Crafted in 1998 by a state-owned tea factory in China and expertly dry-stored in Kunming ever since, this premium ripe Puer tea offers a smooth, mellow profile with zero bitterness. Made from wild ancient arbour large leaves harvested in Menghai, it delivers exceptional depth and purity, an outstanding choice for collectors and connoisseurs seeking aged Pu-erh tea with clean storage and refined flavour.

Years of careful ageing have transformed this tea into a rich, mellow, and deeply layered brew. Over time, the fresh astringency and vegetal sharpness common in young tea have mellowed into soft earthiness, woody warmth, and aged cellar-like complexity. The result is a tea that delivers rich, rounded flavours, a smooth body, and a nuanced aroma with every cup.

When brewed, the 1998 Wild Puer releases a deep, dark-amber liquor with classic aged-tea signatures: earth, wood, dried forest floor, subtle mineral depth, and hints of dried fruit or leather. The mouthfeel is full-bodied yet smooth, with a long, warming aftertaste that lingers beautifully. This tea embodies the very essence of traditional aged Puer, complex, grounding, and meditative.

Origin: Yunnan Province, China (Wild-Grown Tea Trees)
Tea Type: Puer (Post-Fermented Dark Tea/Hei Cha)
Vintage: 1998 (Over 30 Years Aged)
Leaf Source: Wild or Wild-Arbour Trees, naturally grown, old-tree material

Tasting Notes

• Aroma: Earthy wood, forest floor, aged cellar, subtle dried fruit or date-like sweetness
• Flavour: Deep, mellow, smooth, with layered woody-earth notes, soft sweetness and gentle mineral undertones
• Liquor Colour: Dark amber to deep brown, rich and clear
• Mouthfeel: Full-bodied, rounded, warming, with a long, pleasant aftertaste

Why This Tea Is Special

• Wild-tree origin: wild or arbour trees often yield deeper, more complex flavours and contain richer natural minerals than plantation bushes.
• Genuine vintage from 1998: properly aged for 30+ years, allowing flavours to mature and deepen gracefully.
• Rich, mellow, mature profile: ideal for those who appreciate aged, ground-flavour teas rather than fresh or sharp brews.
• Strong ageing potential: if stored well, the tea can continue to evolve and mellow, adding subtle depth over time.
• Versatile brewing: great for traditional Gongfu brewing or simple pot infusions; fits both contemplative sipping and everyday enjoyment.

Brewing Guide

Tea-to-water ratio: 5–7 g per 200–250 ml
Water temperature: 95–100 °C (203–212 °F) — near boiling
First rinse (optional): 5–10 seconds — helps “wake up” the leaves
1st infusion: 20–30 seconds
Subsequent infusions: 30–60 seconds — this tea handles multiple steeps well, revealing evolving depth

Tip: Use a clay pot or Yixing teaware to draw out woody, earthy notes and subtle aged complexity.

Storage & Ageing

Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated environment, away from strong odours, moisture, or direct sunlight. As an already vintage-aged Shou Puer, proper storage will help preserve the tea’s developed flavours, and may allow gradual further maturation, softening any remaining rough edges and deepening sweetness over time.