Longview Classic Spring Black Tea (2017)

Longview Estate is situated at a lower elevation than many other Darjeeling tea estates and is generally known for producing orthodox black teas. Compared to many of the estates with which it competes directly, Longview Estate seems to be less renowned. Prior to trying this tea, I had tried a 2016 first flush black tea from Longview Estate and I found it to be pretty decent, but nothing truly exceptional. I was expecting the same of this tea, but instead was blown away. For a tea marketed at a lower price point than many other first flush Darjeelings, this was a total steal.

I prepared this tea in the Western style. I steeped about 3 grams of loose leaf material in approximately 8 ounces of 194 F water for 5 minutes. I did not attempt any additional infusions.

Prior to infusion, the dry leaf material produced grassy, vegetal, floral aromas. After infusion, I detected clearly defined aromas of grass, fennel, coriander, malt, Muscatel, apricot, and flowers (rose and marigold). In the mouth, I found flavors of grass, hay, coriander, fennel, and malt which gave way to slight notes of apricot, Muscatel, lemon zest, rose, dandelion, marigold, and toasted grain. The finish was short and mellow, offering lingering impressions of flowers, malt, lemon zest, and toasted grain.

Mild, mellow, and not as overtly flavorful or complex as some other first flush Darjeelings I have tried, I still ended up really liking this tea nonetheless. I had to dig to uncover its quirks and subtleties, but what I found was extremely pleasing. Even had I not opted to do what I always do and go overboard in my scent and flavor analyses, I would have still found just enough to sustain my interest. If you do not mind a somewhat grainier, more vegetal first flush tea, I would recommend this as an introduction to first flush Darjeelings and/or as a high quality daily drinker suitable for late morning or early afternoon sipping.