2023 Da Hong Pao from Da Wang Feng - Zheng Yan Yancha, Wuyi Rock Oolong Tea

Da Hong Pao (大红袍), or Big Red Robe, is the most iconic of all Wuyi rock teas. This particular tea is made exclusively from Qi Dan (奇丹), a clonal cultivar directly propagated from the original Da Hong Pao mother trees. While many Da Hong Pao products are blended from multiple cultivars, pure Qi Dan teas like this one represent the truest genetic lineage of this historically significant tea. In fact, contemporary academic consensus considers Qi Dan to be the authentic genetic continuation of the original Da Hong Pao.

Harvested in Spring 2023 from Da Wang Feng (大王峰), a prestigious cliff garden within the Zheng Yan (正岩) core of Wuyishan National Park, this tea comes from a prized plot of rocky terroir that’s naturally managed—wild-grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers since 2019. The elevation of 300–400 meters, combined with the mineral-rich environment and dense cliffside vegetation, contributes to its signature Yan Yun (岩韵, Rock Rhyme)—a lasting mineral resonance that defines the best of Wuyi teas.

This batch underwent an extended four-stage traditional charcoal roasting over nearly a year:

• 1st roast: late May 2023 (8 hours)
• 2nd roast: late August 2023 (10 hours)
• 3rd roast: early October 2023 (10 hours)
• 4th roast: late March 2024 (13 hours)

In total, it spent over 40 hours under low, slow roasting, reaching a medium-high roast level. This slow and penetrating roast eliminates residual “fire” while enhancing body, aroma, and aging potential. By now, the tea has fully stabilized and expresses its character with refined clarity.

The liquor is thick, smooth, and resonant, with a deep amber hue. Aromatically, it delivers distinct floral notes, especially in the gaiwan lid and cup base, alongside cooling herbal undertones. On the palate, it opens with a silky, full-bodied mouthfeel, unfolding into layers of sweetness, floral spice, and minerality, followed by a persistent returning sweetness (huigan) and an energizing cha qi that lingers in the throat.