Lagrimas de Dolores Cenizo

Verdict

Lagrimas de Dolores Joven is the bottle that introduces the brand and the maestra – 45% is supportable cenizo proof, the mesquite signature lands, and the palenque's production is consistent with the other high-quality Durango releases. Derrumbes Durango is stylistically adjacent; Ávila's work is more personal. Community reviewers put it at 4.0, and we see it the same way.

Tasting notes

Nose: Mesquite smoke, then cooked cenizo, desert stone, a faint green herb

Palate: Balanced and smoky-mineral at 45%. The house cenizo is where Ávila's production philosophy sits clearly, northern mesquite character, clean still work, proof at the right place

Finish: Mesquite, cool close. Long

The bottom line

Start your Durango shelf here. First Lagrimas de Dolores; first serious Durango

Where to buy online

We found this bottle at 1 US retailer. Prices and stock vary – click through to check.

• Saratoga Wine