Description

A Noble Aged Ripe Pu-erh from 2010

Gui Zhu “Red Seal” (Red Mark) is a beautifully aged Ripe Pu-erh (Shu Pu-erh) produced in 2010 by the small Gui Zhu Tea Factory.

Made from carefully selected spring-harvested material, this refined blend has matured under dry Menghai storage conditions, allowing more than a decade of ageing to soften and balance its character while preserving remarkable aromatic intensity.

The result is an expressive and memorable Pu-erh with an unconventional profile combining aged wood, warm spices, berries, wine-like nuances, Chinese dates, vanilla, and hazelnuts.

A particularly attractive choice for those looking for an aged Shu Pu-erh with an excellent balance between quality, maturity, complexity, and value.

Appearance and tasting notes

The tea is traditionally compressed into a 357 g cake with moderately soft compression, making it relatively easy to separate with a Pu-erh knife or tea pick.

Inside, the material is clean, uniform, and visually attractive.

The dry leaves have a soft yet expressive aroma, combining warm spices and aged wood with subtle wine-like and berry nuances.

Once brewed, Red Seal develops a beautifully balanced and distinctive aromatic profile. Woody and wine-like notes form its foundation, accompanied by ripe berries and warm spices.

As the tea opens, additional layers emerge: Chinese red date (jujube), vanilla, and hazelnut, creating an unusually rich yet harmonious combination.

The fragrance is dense, warm, and persistent.

The liquor is clean, smooth, and rounded, with excellent balance between its deeper aged character and sweeter aromatic nuances. Its texture remains pleasant throughout the tea session, leading into a long, smooth, and satisfying finish.

Character and Experience

Gui Zhu Red Seal is an excellent everyday aged Shu Pu-erh for tea drinkers who appreciate distinctive and expressive flavors.

Despite its complexity, the tea is immediately approachable. Its character becomes clear from the first cup, while subsequent infusions gradually reveal additional layers of fruit, spice, wood, nuts, and sweetness.

The years of dry Menghai storage have contributed significantly to its balance, allowing the original intensity of the tea to develop into a softer and more composed mature profile.

It is warming and pleasantly energizing, helping create a collected, focused state while maintaining a sense of comfort and ease.

A memorable aged Pu-erh that combines maturity and complexity with excellent everyday drinkability.

How to brew

Gongfu Style

• Porous clay teapot suitable for Shu Pu-erh or thick-walled porcelain teaware
• Water temperature: 95–98°C (203–208°F)
• Tea-to-water ratio: 4–5 g per 100 ml
• A quick rinse with hot water before the first infusion is recommended
• Begin with short infusions of approximately 5–10 seconds
• Gradually increase the steeping time by approximately 10–15 seconds
• Enjoy approximately 5–6 infusions while the tea maintains its rich and expressive character.

Western Style

• Large glass or porcelain teapot
• Water temperature: 95–98°C (203–208°F)
• Tea-to-water ratio: 4–6 g per 500 ml
• Warm the teapot thoroughly before adding the tea
• Rinse the leaves briefly with hot water and discard the rinse
• Pour in fresh hot water, cover the teapot, and steep for approximately 5–6 minutes before serving.

Origin

• Tea: Gui Zhu Red Seal
• Alternative Name: Red Mark
• Type: Aged Ripe Pu-erh Tea (Shu Pu-erh)
• Producer: Gui Zhu Tea Factory
• Origin: Yunnan Province, China
• Year: 2010
• Raw Material: Spring-harvested tea leaves
• Storage: Dry Menghai Storage
• Shape: Pu-erh Cake (Bing Cha)
• Weight: 357 g
• Profile: Aged Wood • Wine • Berries • Spices • Chinese Red Date • Vanilla • Hazelnut
• Character: Smooth • Rounded • Warming • Balanced • Expressive
• Processing: Traditionally fermented, compressed and aged Ripe Pu-erh