Tequila Joe's Collection |
| Chinaco Tear Drop Reposado - Preiss |
| NOM: 1127 Distillery: Tequilera La Gonzáleña, S.A. DE C.V. Importer: Preiss Imports Area: Highlands Aged: Up to 1 Year Barrel Type: American White Oak Bottle Size: 750ml Bottle Number: L - 2005 RN 10539 Number of Distillations: 2 Alcohol Percentage: 40%/80 Proof Price: $48 Current Website: http://www.chinacotequila.com/ |
| All rights reserved. |
My Tasting Notes: n/a
Info on the Back of the Bottle: n/a
Other Info: Lance Cutler, author of the Tequila Lover's Guide to Mexico, states the
following information about the Chinaco line in his book and on his website:
"In the early 1970s, all tequila had to come from the state of Jalisco, but in 1973
Mexican government officials decided to expand tequila designation. They were intent
on providing enough blue agave plants to meet future demands. They saw tequila as a
unique product that brought in dollars and other foreign currencies.
One of the new areas, the northern state of Tamaulipas, was so designated in honor
of the father of modern Mexican agrarian reform, Guillermo Gonzalez Diaz Lombardi.
Representatives of one of the large distilleries in Tequila signed an agreement with the
farmers of Tamaulipas promising to pay high prices for the agave. The farmers of
Tamaulipas planted many hectares of blue agave, but after 8–10 years, when the
agaves finally were ready for harvest, the major tequila producer backed out of the
agreement.
The farmers had no buyer for their agaves. Guillermo Gonzalez refused to sell his
agaves for less than promised. Rather than capitulate to what he felt was essentially
blackmail, Gonzalez decided to build his own distillery and to make tequila using the
agave plants of Tamaulipas. He picked a vacant cotton gin as a location. He bought
some used distilling equipment and hired a tequilero reputed to have some experience,
and a tiny distillery named La Gonzaleña was born.
La Gonzaleña’s tequila was called Chinaco, named after the legendary defenders of
Mexico during the Guerra de Reforma (War of Reform) in the 1850s. Chinaco tequila
was born out of struggle, and has fought ever since to survive as the only tequila
produced in Tamaulipas.
Chinaco tequila was introduced to the United States in 1983 by Robert Denton and
Company. Denton marketed the tequila like a fine cognac, and demanded the highest
prices of any tequila on the market. The rich, elegant Chinaco Añejo lived up to the
promises, and almost single handedly created the North American market for upscale
tequila.
The distillery closed in the late 1980s, and the remaining supply of Chinaco was quickly
exhausted. Happily, under the guidance of Gonzalez’s four sons, La Gonzaleña
distillery was reborn, and Chinaco reappeared for sale in the United States in 1994.
Currently Chinaco is available in three styles. The Blanco is bottled without any wood
aging. The Reposado is aged in barrel for up to a year. The Añejo ages in oak barrels
for up to four years.
The Chinaco house style is characterized by heavy, earthy agave aromas and flavors
with solid fruit and floral hints. The tequilas are dry, not sweet, with a rich, full-bodied
texture. The Añejo has a velvety, oily character. The oak aging regimen
contributes nice caramel and vanilla accents, but doesn’t overpower the bold agave.
These bold, full-flavored tequilas are not designed for the timid." -Wine Patrol
Info on the Back of the Bottle: n/a
Other Info: Lance Cutler, author of the Tequila Lover's Guide to Mexico, states the
following information about the Chinaco line in his book and on his website:
"In the early 1970s, all tequila had to come from the state of Jalisco, but in 1973
Mexican government officials decided to expand tequila designation. They were intent
on providing enough blue agave plants to meet future demands. They saw tequila as a
unique product that brought in dollars and other foreign currencies.
One of the new areas, the northern state of Tamaulipas, was so designated in honor
of the father of modern Mexican agrarian reform, Guillermo Gonzalez Diaz Lombardi.
Representatives of one of the large distilleries in Tequila signed an agreement with the
farmers of Tamaulipas promising to pay high prices for the agave. The farmers of
Tamaulipas planted many hectares of blue agave, but after 8–10 years, when the
agaves finally were ready for harvest, the major tequila producer backed out of the
agreement.
The farmers had no buyer for their agaves. Guillermo Gonzalez refused to sell his
agaves for less than promised. Rather than capitulate to what he felt was essentially
blackmail, Gonzalez decided to build his own distillery and to make tequila using the
agave plants of Tamaulipas. He picked a vacant cotton gin as a location. He bought
some used distilling equipment and hired a tequilero reputed to have some experience,
and a tiny distillery named La Gonzaleña was born.
La Gonzaleña’s tequila was called Chinaco, named after the legendary defenders of
Mexico during the Guerra de Reforma (War of Reform) in the 1850s. Chinaco tequila
was born out of struggle, and has fought ever since to survive as the only tequila
produced in Tamaulipas.
Chinaco tequila was introduced to the United States in 1983 by Robert Denton and
Company. Denton marketed the tequila like a fine cognac, and demanded the highest
prices of any tequila on the market. The rich, elegant Chinaco Añejo lived up to the
promises, and almost single handedly created the North American market for upscale
tequila.
The distillery closed in the late 1980s, and the remaining supply of Chinaco was quickly
exhausted. Happily, under the guidance of Gonzalez’s four sons, La Gonzaleña
distillery was reborn, and Chinaco reappeared for sale in the United States in 1994.
Currently Chinaco is available in three styles. The Blanco is bottled without any wood
aging. The Reposado is aged in barrel for up to a year. The Añejo ages in oak barrels
for up to four years.
The Chinaco house style is characterized by heavy, earthy agave aromas and flavors
with solid fruit and floral hints. The tequilas are dry, not sweet, with a rich, full-bodied
texture. The Añejo has a velvety, oily character. The oak aging regimen
contributes nice caramel and vanilla accents, but doesn’t overpower the bold agave.
These bold, full-flavored tequilas are not designed for the timid." -Wine Patrol
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