El Negocio, which means “The Business” in Spanish, was founded by Napa Valley vintner Adam Craun and entrepreneur Nicholas Lutz. Craun, a classically trained artist, philanthropist and co-founder of the cult wine powerhouse Memento Mori, is now focused on bridging the two worlds of fine wine and tequila. Though the flavor profiles could hardly be more different, El Negocio underscores the unbridled edge of tequila with a nuanced restraint and deference to terroir more commonly associated with collector-worthy wine.
“El Negocio represents the apex of our three most defining passions — pure, authentic, additive-free tequila, benchmark wine, and sleek, modern design,” said Lutz.
For Craun and Lutz, there was only one Jalisco Valley partner they ever wanted to work with Master Distiller Salvador Rosales Trejo, better known as “Chava.” His grandfather was the tequilero who founded Fabrica de Tequila El Cascahuín in the town of El Arenal, and today Chava is among a very small handful of producers making tequila with traditional methods to protect the rich heritage around it.
While most mass-produced tequilas are made using the sweeter Jalisco highlands agave, Chava, Craun and Lutz chose the more traditional Zona Valles terroir in the Jalisco lowlands. This region produces extremely limited quantities of Blue Weber Agave, and its mineral-rich volcanic soil, known as tierra negra, imparts more sophisticated, savory notes to the tequila. Known as the Tequilana Weber, the Blue Weber is smaller than its highland cousins. It is this very agave that is responsible for El Negocio’s more vivid concentration of flavor.
The founders are as concerned with El Negocio’s sustainability as they are with its origins and purity. Nodding to Cascahuín’s use of deep well water, the label has partnered with Charity Water, committing $1 from every bottle of El Negocio that is sold to the international organization’s commitment to building clean and safe wells for drinking water around the world.
El Negocio’s deep connection to wine and its Memento Mori sister label are more visible starting this spring, when El Negocio’s first two French oak-aged expressions arrived. Also certified additive-free, both the Reposado ($125) and Joven ($125) benefit from time spent aging in barrels previously used to age Memento Mori, imparting the nuanced sophistication that has helped earn the Napa Valley label’s $300+ wines a cult following and 100-point critical acclaim.
El Negocio Blanco Rosa, Añejo and Extra Añejo releases are also on the horizon once they complete their barrel-aging process.
Note: GSN was sent the joven and the reposado for review.
El Negocio Reposado – GSN’s Remarks: Deep and rich oak driven nose with plenty of agave and caramel to go around. Sweet and honeyed entry on the palate with a warm, lazy and welcoming mellow personality. A well rounded mouthfeel with a semi-creamy feel on the tongue. Light peppery spice, loads of caramel and a keening agave flavor that leads to an extra long finish. At the finale, things end on a woody tannic note. A true standout of a reposado. GSN Rating: A+
El Negocio Joven – GSN’s Remarks: Rainwater, chalky mineral and fresh agave make for a clean and bright nose. Lightly sweet, with a ethereal mouthfeel that delicately caresses the tongue. Some light pepper, fresh mint, nutmeg and soft caramel make this a complex and appealing spirit. The finish is medium long, with a gently softening sweet fade. A remarkably sophisticated expression for a young tequila. GSN Rating: A
For more information go to: El Negochio Tequila
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