"Like any good or great wine, the Lagrimas expressions really showcase a sense of place, adding a fascinating dimension to the tequila scene." - Andrew Kitz B-21 Spirits Buyer
Single-estate tequila isn't exactly a new concept, but so few producers are actually attempting it that it might as well be, and the fact that once an estate's agave field is harvested it won't produce tequila again for another decade means these are not only single-estate but "single-vintage" as well. They may not have originated the concept, but Lagrimas del Valle seems to be at the forefront of it these days, and this pair of 2024 releases shows that they've got the process down to both an art and a science.
They start with the highest quality agave from hand-selected estates, meticulously harvest the piñas, and then produce their stunningly beautiful tequilas at one of Jalisco's most famed and revered distilleries, Cascahuin (NOM 1123). Processed using both a roller mill and a traditional tahona, the juice is then fermented partially in stainless steel vats and partially in open-top wood fermenters, this portion also including the agave fibers for added flavor depth and complexity. Bottled at 46% abv, these are tequilas of true terroir expression.
La Loma Plata originates from Lagrimas' first-ever rancho in Michoacán State, as Blue Weber is a relatively rare species there. La Loma is an expression of rounded, layered, agave-forward purity, for those tequial fans who put a premium on opulent complexity, from the aromas to the flavors to the mouthfeel. As Andrew explains, "with this bottling, it’s easy to see why Weber agave from Michoacán has such an avid following beyond just its relative rarity there." Offering an altogether different experience, La Sabina Plata is every bit as compelling. Instead of the rounded, forward personality of La Loma, the La Sabina is a vibrant, racy, mineral- and herbal- driven specimen. From the highest-elevation that Lagrimas has yet harvested, this is a fantastic new expression in this line-up.
In a category where individual character can sometimes get lost in favor of flashy packaging, branding, and marketing gimmicks, these Lagrimas offerings are a real breath of fresh air, and you'll have a blast collecting and comparing them as you go along. After all, each one is only made once, and each is totally different than the next one.