Winter Jinxuan Oolong from Zhu Shan

Central Taiwan, Nantou county. Zhu Shan's tea plantations at the feet of mountains leading to Shan Lin Shi.

They are mostly high yield Oolongs (Jinxuan, Tsui Yu and Si Ji Chun). We are not far away from Mingjian's Songboling, but the plantations here are smaller and located in a more natural and hilly environment. (This difference has also a financial impact on the Oolongs produced here: they cost approximately 2-3 times more than in Songboling.)
These pictures from my Zhu Shan farmer's Jinxuan plantation were taken a week ago. We can see that these leaves continue to grow at this period of time (unlike in Shan Lin Shi). And while the north of Taiwan has been very humid recently, the central region has been so dry that the farmers have to irrigate their fields.

With less sun, lower temperatures -especially during the night- and just a minimum of water, the winter harvest yields less tea than during the other seasons. However, such conditions are similar to the High Mountains, That's why, the Zhu Shan Oolongs made this winter season will have the crisp freshness of winter Gao Shan Cha.

Of course, not all batches are created equal! I could taste several Tsui Yu and Jinxuan and selected the one I liked best:
Cultivar: Jinxuan Oolong

Harvest by hand of November 19, 2009.

Origin: young tree plantation in Zhu Shan, Taiwan.

(Note: The indoors pictures were taken with natural lighting and no direct sun. This is why the colors look more grey than in reality).

Competition tasting: 3 gr for 6 minutes.

The tea is very fresh and fragrant. It isn't overly 'green'. The oxidation is a tad stronger than what's the norm nowadays. Good clarity. Some astringency, but enough sweetness and fruitiness to overpower it. A nice vibrancy remains in the mouth. The fragrances are light grassy and buttery. For a jinxuan Oolong, the aftertaste is dry and very sustained.

The damage on the leaves is a sign of quality: the farmer didn't spray pesticide on them. And, when you feel them between your fingers, the leaves are quite thick and strong, full of nutrients.

This fresh winter Oolong clearly has attributes I'm looking for in High Mountain Oolong. This makes it quite interesting and cheaper alternative. It can be drunk as an everyday fragrant Oolong or as a tea that lets you practice/experiment your brewing skills.

With a lower cost, there can be less pressure and more freedom to try different methods, different wares. Gongfu cha isn't the repetition of the same parameters for every tea. Gongfu cha is a technique refined with experience. The goal is simple: bring out all the good tastes and energy that nature and man put into these leaves. And enjoy!

Update: For an independent review of this tea, visit this new tea blog.