The Wine Thread

I love wine and sometimes its hard to find good bargains here in Baja. So i decided to open this thread in order to post the names of good wines that are available in our state. It doesn't matter where it is from, or how much its worth, the only requirement is that its good, and not just "personally i like it buts its really only good for cooking" good, but good enough that novices and wine lovers can appreciate it.

Heres two that i tried recently that i felt where excelent for their price and quality:




2003 Ventisquero Grey Cabernet Sauvignon

Gold Medal 2006 Concours Mondial Bruxelles
Gold Medal 2006 International Wine Challenge
Silver at Japan Wine Challenge
Gold 2006 Wines of Chile Awards

Price: 220 pesos

Here in La Paz you can find it at La Cava del Patron, and you can find it in Cabo at La Europea.

2004 Ventisquero Reserva Merlot

Gold Medal 2006 International Wine Challenge
Silver 2006 Japan Wine Challenge
Gold Medal 2006 Concours Mondial Bruxelles


Price: 110 pesos


Where: At cava patron or la europea

Concha y Toro TRIO

This wine hasnt won any awards, but i guarantee you will like it. Its well balanced, great aromas, wonderful taste since its made from 3 grapes. Merlot, Carmenere, and Cabernet Franc.
Vey smooth and relaxing.


Price: 99 pesos


Where: At any Soriana, City Club, Calimax, or Gigante

Wine Tasting in Rosarito

I just learned Sto Tomas Barbera 2003 just got a silver medal at the 2006 Concours Mondial Bruxelles. And the 2003 Merlot from Sto Tomas also got a silver medal at the prestigious awards.









I really recommend you try the Barbera.

[Edited on 10-27-2006 by JESSE]

As much as the inspectors don't notice

How Much?

If you have less than $1000 you should be able to use Tecate or SY. Supposed to go to Otay if more BUT:

Otay plays it by the book, (and more). If I were you, I would use SY and make your valuation something you were comfortable with.

With the proper receipts, of course.

Just don't get too greedy or load up with tons of cases. Pull into declare and act like you know what you're doing. If you don't like what goes down then tell them you'll just go back to the States.

<You got an FM3, right? It makes the process a whole lot easier.>

[Edited on 10-28-2006 by Dave]

no - thx Dave, but what i meant was "bringing it back from mexico".......sorry - a J.J. Cale music moment..........anyway , yeah - so i stopped at tecate re entering USA after a great weekend in Guadalupe via auto. and i said/asked the customs guy if i had more than the 1 L. PP qty could i simply pay the duty as i didn't care ABOUT THE extra cost. that's when he said no, he wasn't set up there to process duties and collect fees.

so...............where/how do i do that??

and does that duty free shop next to the TJ entry have baja wines cheap??

Heres another winner



Caliterra reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Price: 95 pesos

Where: This one is widely available in most large supermarkets

[Edited on 11-1-2006 by JESSE]

Gato Negro

Thanks....I'm going for the Merlot blend

2001 Merryvale Starmont Cabernet Sauvignon

I usually keep away from most american Cabernets because the good stuff is usually very expensive. Or at least, its expensive here in Baja. But this Cabernet is not too expensive and has become a personal favorite with steaks and lamb. This wine is medium bodied, fruity, with wonderful tanins that play in your mouth. You can find it in Cabo or La Paz and it will run you about 400 pesos, not expensive if you consider that the quality of this wine is similar to wines that cost up to 3 times its price.

2002 Monte Xanic Gran Ricardo

Monte Xanic is not one of my favorite Mexican wineries, i think quality has gone down in the past 5 years, and prices are too high for the quality of their wines. The recent release of their Malbec is a disaster in my opinion, but thats another story. Gran Ricardo is the only good wine thats coming out from Monte Xanic these days. This is a wine that has been around for many many years, but only in magnum size, so most of us rarely had a chance to taste it. Recently they decided to sale it .750ml size (a good idea) and now people are getting a chance to try it more often. Gran Ricardo is a French blend of Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. This is a fine wine, and opulent wine, with silky tannins, and a long finish that makes it very atractive. Its only drawback its the now too popular saltiness exibited in most Baja wines, but if your willing to overlook that, this is general is a good solid wine at 500 pesos a bottle.

2003 Passion Ojos Negros

This is another top Mexican wine, expensive, but very opulent and elegant with the traditional french style most good Mexican wines show these days. Passion is a Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot blend, the wine is medium bodied, with wonderful aromas of raspberries, oak, a little vanilla, and some green pepper ( my opinion). The price tag for this wine is a little expensive, $750.00 pesos a bottle, and its worth it, but i can see why most people stay away from top Mexican reds when theres other wines that are very good. Non the less, i have plenty of top Mexican reds lovers, and they all seem to love this one.

DAILY WINE

Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc

Crisp, refreshing, and one of my favorite Sauvignon Blancs. It is pale with a bouquet of guava and tropical fruit, a fine example of New Zealand Sauvignon B.

15 bucks at Europea

Rosemount estate traminer-riesling

Delicious blend with tons of fruity melon

15 bucks at Cava Patron

Last evening's vino...Double Dog Dare

Well, when I saw these at Trader Joe's in Pacific Bch, I couldn't resist that label name. And you know something..?.. the wine is pretty darn good.

Of course, it might have been the excellent company also...and the view....and the chili rellenos made by a visiting master chef...or the before...in-between and after margaritas..

Anyhoo...it was a fine merlot. It even had a cork. Bottled by Double Dog Cellars, Ripon, Ca. Retails at $7, and you can get a discount on a case.

Seriously, this is a good merlot. You will like it. 6 of 6 of us did last night.

[Edited on 4-21-2007 by Pompano]