Reviews / Rezpiral Tepeztate - Alejandrina & Nicolas Hernandez

Review · · by The Editors

Rezpiral Tepeztate - Alejandrina & Nicolas Hernandez

Alejandrina Aragón Hernández's tepextate at 48.7% – Río Seco terroir, full proof

Score: 4.5/5 agaves

Rezpiral Tepeztate - Alejandrina & Nicolas Hernandez bottle
  • Producer: Rezpiral
  • Maestro: Alejandrina Aragón Hernandez, Nicolas Hernandez
  • Region: Rio Seco, Oaxaca
  • Agave: Tepextate
  • ABV: 48.7%
  • Price: $70 ($$)

Verdict

Río Seco near Zoquitlán is not on most drinkers' mezcal maps, and Alejandrina Aragón Hernández and Nicolás Hernández's palenque is exactly the kind of small, uncertified, traditional producer the Rezpiral curatorial model exists to surface. Their tepextate at 48.7% reads with full concentration – as good as anything Leonardo or Aureliano Hernández are bottling from San Baltazar Guélavila, and in our estimation in conversation with Revelador.

Tepextate from the small Río Seco community – the find of this cleanup

Tasting notes

Nose: Orchid, wet stone, green bell pepper, wildflower, cooked agave

Palate: Layered and aromatic at 48.7%, the Río Seco palenque's concentration method showing in the mid-palate density. Alejandrina and Nicolás Hernández again – small community, big proof

Finish: Floral, mineral

The bottom line

Buy – the Rezpiral tepextate that deserves the headline

Where to buy online

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

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