Mexican Wines

We spend a lot of time in Mexico (Zihuatanejo) and I bought a wine cooler just to keep some good stuff that I bring down in proper condition. The problem is that wine is very expensive in Mexico unless you buy Mexican or S American wines. I have found several very nice wines and went to a very upscale Mexican wine dinner down there two weeks ago. Yeah, there is garbage and a lot of very average stuff but also some gems. Amazingly not a single bottle is imported to St Louis and very few can be found in other parts of the US. Really like the Casa Madera (not much oak) cabernet from the north central and Monte Xanic wines from the BAJA. Anybody have experiences with Mexican wines?
Walt

[David M. Bueker]

I've had Mexican Barbera that wasn't too bad, and I believe that Turley makes 1 wine with grapes from Baja California, though I have not yet tried it.

I've had several that were brought up by friends. Nothing profound but they were well-made wines that were tasty and did fine with barbecued meat and such.

I've had Mexican Barbera that wasn't too bad, and I believe that Turley makes 1 wine with grapes from Baja California, though I have not yet tried it.

Wow, a Turley wine from really hot climate. Never saw one but probably not my style and probably more alcohol than my system can take. I was very surprised that the Mexican wines I liked were not high alcohol and even somewhat restrained. The Casa Madera was a mountain cab. The Monte Xanic I liked was a syrah and somewhat between the OZ shiraz and French Syrah in style.
Walt

[Jenise]

I've had Mexican Barbera that wasn't too bad, and I believe that Turley makes 1 wine with grapes from Baja California, though I have not yet tried it.

They made that in '04, not sure if they've made it again. Rancho-something.

"I wish I were back, in Ti-a-juana, eating barbequed I-guan-a..."

Seriously tho, most mexican wines were (are?) not that great, but I seem to remember the whites from Baja being not as bad as many of the reds, one of which was real rotgut, but this was over 20 years ago when I last had these, so take this with a grain of salt. FWIW, there was an article within the past decade about a winery close to Tecate (near the US border) who did some amazing things with the vines he had, many of which were old-vine. Sorry I can't open the memory banks about it this moment...

Walt, is your place right in Zihua, or on the outskirts? It used to be a pretty quiet place in the 80's.

Jancis Robinson recently wrote positively about some wines from Baja.

I have two from Baja in the pipeline, no idea what to expect:
2005 Ensamble Colina Ba I 50% Merlot 40% Cabernet Sauvignon 5% Petit Syrah 5% Zinfandel 13.5%
2005 Ensamble Arenal Ba II 50% Merlot 40% Cabernet Sauvignon 5% Petit Syrah 5% Barbera 13.3%

"I wish I were back, in Ti-a-juana, eating barbequed I-guan-a..."

Seriously tho, most mexican wines were (are?) not that great, but I seem to remember the whites from Baja being not as bad as many of the reds, one of which was real rotgut, but this was over 20 years ago when I last had these, so take this with a grain of salt. FWIW, there was an article within the past decade about a winery close to Tecate (near the US border) who did some amazing things with the vines he had, many of which were old-vine. Sorry I can't open the memory banks about it this moment...

Walt, is your place right in Zihua, or on the outskirts? It used to be a pretty quiet place in the 80's.

Mark,
It has been a long time since you have been to Mexico. I would no longer go to Tiajuana, it is illegal to eat iguana even though they taste like chicken and Zihuatanejo has grown. We have a place just above La Ropa beach very near the town. Not saying some wines don't taste like crap and I am not going to be stocking cases in my cellar but I did bring back four wines for a blind tasting and nobody will believe they are Mexican. I have tasted them all and they are well above average.
Walt

Walt, that first line is from a Mission to Burma song called 'Mexican Radio'. Funny tune.
I wouldn't doubt that Mexican wines have improved, as they have nearly everywhere else.

Walt, that first line is from a Mission to Burma song called 'Mexican Radio'. Funny tune.
I wouldn't doubt that Mexican wines have improved, as they have nearly everywhere else.

Close, Mark. The song was penned by Stan Ridgway during his years with Wall of Voodoo. Mission of Burma was the band that give us the cheery little ditty "That's When I Reach for My Revolver."

Mark Lipton

The Monte Xanic Cab blend is one of the better Mexican wines I have had. L.A. Cetto is a huge Mondavi-like operation with lots of wines, many of which are good, not profound, but good, and reasonably priced.

Walt, that first line is from a Mission to Burma song called 'Mexican Radio'. Funny tune.
I wouldn't doubt that Mexican wines have improved, as they have nearly everywhere else.

Close, Mark. The song was penned by Stan Ridgway during his years with Wall of Voodoo. Mission of Burma was the band that give us the cheery little ditty "That's When I Reach for My Revolver."

Mark Lipton

Do any listening to Fountains of Wayne, Mark?

The Monte Xanic Cab blend is one of the better Mexican wines I have had. L.A. Cetto is a huge Mondavi-like operation with lots of wines, many of which are good, not profound, but good, and reasonably priced.

I've had various Monte Xanic, James, and I would agree with you.

The one I remember most for being decent, oddly enough, was their Merlot!

The Monte Xanic Cab blend is one of the better Mexican wines I have had. L.A. Cetto is a huge Mondavi-like operation with lots of wines, many of which are good, not profound, but good, and reasonably priced.

Jim,
The tasting was at a beautiful resaurant overlooking the water and featured only Monte Xanic wines sponsored by one of the only two decent wine stores in the area (read air conditioned). I had the Merlot, the cab blend and a Syrah. I thought the merlot was way over the top, the cab blend was very CA in style but the syrah was very structured and nice. Guess the years influence but I was very impressed. I agree, godd but not profound, but that describes most wines.
Walt

is there a place to go wine tasting in Mexico? i live about 50 miles away and would love to hear if that there's some little area with decent wineries close together. Temecula just won't cut it...

Mike... the Guadalupe Valley is filled with wineries...you can go towards Ensenada to get there.. or go thru Tecate which may be easier.

Here is a listing.. and be sure, if you go, to stop at Dona Lupe's... http://www.wineriesinbaja.com/baja-wineries.htm