BajaNomad - Ensenada Nomads' (small but loud) party

Ensenada Nomads' (small but loud) party

bajamigo - 8-3-2008 at 08:47 AM

In response to Shari's invitation for Ensenada Nomads to party, a few of us got together at the casa of Bajamigo and Bajabound2005. Soon-to-be Nomad Harold brought a surprisingly good selection of New Mexican wines to accompany a dinner of pollo mole verde, arroz mexicana, frijoles negro, and chayote. what we lacked in numbers we made up for in enthusiasm.

Dennis, Shari, Juan and Sirenita relax

BB2005 evaluates the "rojo blanco"

Dennis and Shari share a laugh

Judging of the wines is well underway

BB2005 and Shari by the fireplace

Sirenita wins over Barney

We all agreed to do it again, since Sirenita will be around Ensenada for the next three years or so! Any Nomad in the area has an open invitation to join in the festivities.

[Edited on 8-3-2008 by bajamigo]

bajaguy - 8-3-2008 at 08:50 AM

And???????????

DENNIS - 8-3-2008 at 08:58 AM

That's it. The rest is top secret.

bajamigo - 8-3-2008 at 09:08 AM

Hey, on a Sunday morning after some of us consumed an average of 1.341 liters of New Mexican wine the previous night, you may not know what to do with the edit button. For the record, Dennis was NOT one of those profligate individuals.

bajaguy - 8-3-2008 at 09:10 AM

All is well then.....

bajabound2005 - 8-3-2008 at 09:46 AM

It was sort of our own little Vendimia event...

David K - 8-3-2008 at 09:49 AM

Very nice! Thanks for sharing!

SiReNiTa - 8-3-2008 at 09:52 AM

thank's much to BB205 and bajamigo for a wonderfull evening yummy dinner and.-..entertaining a 18 year old!! lol...and her mother lol...and everyone else...my respect to the cook!!!
look forward to doing it again sometime!!

SiReNiTa

bajadock - 8-3-2008 at 07:15 PM

Couldn't make it to your fun Nomad party, but, did register a complaint with my neighborhood association about the noise level from your place.

BB and BA are extraordinary entertainers. When does their B&B open?

jeans - 8-3-2008 at 10:10 PM

Hey...great to put some faces to the names...well, except for DENNIS... :lol:

already met him. :bounce:

tripledigitken - 8-4-2008 at 08:05 AM

How about some recommendations of the New Mexican wines you tasted, and where to purchase them?! :yes:

Martyman - 8-4-2008 at 08:14 AM

Can't see the pics.

bajabound2005 - 8-4-2008 at 09:01 AM

The pix are there -- if you are getting the little box with the red X right click on the X and then click on "show picture"

Iflyfish - 8-4-2008 at 09:46 AM

Ah, life in the big city! What fun!

Thanks for the pics.

Iflyfish

Bruce R Leech - 8-4-2008 at 09:53 AM

only the first 3 photos will open fo me

bajabound2005 - 8-4-2008 at 05:38 PM

all of them open on my computer...once I dealt with that red x issue on a few of them!

BajaGringo - 8-4-2008 at 06:03 PM

I see all the photos so might be an issue with your browser. try hitting F5 and see if that resets it so they show.

Met Shari this morning and we just dropped her off at the airport. What a great gal she is. Her and Cristina really hit it off and we look forward to making it down their way this fall...

DENNIS - 8-4-2008 at 06:06 PM

Thanks Ron. Great Nomad gesture.

Santiago - 8-4-2008 at 08:17 PM

Bid D: you're not nearly as unpleasant looking as I imagined. :lol:

DENNIS - 8-4-2008 at 08:20 PM

What a relief. Thanks.

bajamigo - 8-4-2008 at 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
How about some recommendations of the New Mexican wines you tasted, and where to purchase them?! :yes:

We had four varietals: the whites were

The two reds were:

The sauvignon blanc was outstanding. Perhaps our expectations were low because who ever heard of New Mexican wine, but this selection really stood on its own. The "blue-winged olive" (not sure where that came from) was a fairly thin riesling-type wine, but drinkable.

The merlot was the evening's biggest surprise. It had a fruitiness you wouldn't expect from a fairly dull grape, and a great finish.

The blanco rojo was a good honest long flat red; probably would go great with pasta as well as traditional Mexican dishes.

I'm trying to get some info from my friend about availability, prices, etc. I'll be happy to let you know what I find out.

By way of background, here's what the blurb on the bottle says:

" 'Wines of the San Juan' is nestled in the heart of the San Juan River Valley in the beautiful Four Corners Region of Northwestern New Mexico. The world-class tailwater fishery in the San Juan River below Navajo Dam provides a year-round, unequaled trophy trout habitat.

"Flyfishers know this Quality Water as a fishing paradise. A high desert at 5,600 feet, with long sunny days, cool nights, and deep sandy clay soil is the combination providing a unique microclimate for producing rich and fruity wines.

"Come visit and explore the territory. Taste and experience our New Mexican wines in the rustic tasting room located 6 miles below Navajo Lake State Park on Highway 511 at Turley.

"Contact us: winessanjuan@netscape.net."

tripledigitken - 8-5-2008 at 09:53 AM

Bajamigo,

Thanks for the report. Not being a fan of Merlot either (before Sideways by the way) :lol:

I'll look for the Sav Blanc.

I remember quite awhile ago reading about a White House dinner (not sure which Pres.) that NM wine was served and made a note to look for some. Have tasted a glass or two while traveling in the 4 corners, nothing memorable. Have a suspicion that the really good stuff is very low production and sucked up by top end restaurants.

Just read a review of a wine from Truth or Consequences....Gruet, that is putting out amazing Sparkling Wine. Will try to find it and report back.

Ken

Bajaboy - 8-5-2008 at 09:58 AM

Gruet is an excellent sparkling wine! I worked at a high-end restaurant in Monterey Bay/Santa Cruz area and we served that as our house sparkling. Highly recommended on this end.

Zac

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
Bajamigo,

Thanks for the report. Not being a fan of Merlot either (before Sideways by the way) :lol:

tripledigitken - 8-5-2008 at 10:03 AM

Bajaboy,

Thanks for the confirmation, I'm on it!

Ken

Cypress - 8-5-2008 at 10:03 AM

bajamigo, Thanks for the pictures and the party report.

Good times! Good folks! :bounce:

Santiago - 8-5-2008 at 10:22 AM

'Blue Winged Olive' is a type of dry fly used in flyfishing. The San Juan River is one of THE rivers flyfisherfolks go to - I've not made the pilgramage myself as I don't have a (insert rant on a**hole fly fishers who fist look at your vest, shirt, waders, rod, reel, boots and if you don't look like you just stepped out of an Orvis catalog won't talk to you).

bajamigo - 8-5-2008 at 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Santiago
'Blue Winged Olive' is a type of dry fly used in flyfishing. The San Juan River is one of THE rivers flyfisherfolks go to - I've not made the pilgramage myself as I don't have a (insert rant on a**hole fly fishers who fist look at your vest, shirt, waders, rod, reel, boots and if you don't look like you just stepped out of an Orvis catalog won't talk to you).

Thanks for the education, Santiago!

ELINVESTIG8R - 8-5-2008 at 10:35 AM

Bunch of winos... :lol:

SiReNiTa - 8-5-2008 at 06:37 PM

lol...oh yeah...the uuuummm....coca cola was really good also!!!

ELINVESTIG8R - 8-5-2008 at 07:18 PM

Si Chuey... :lol:

Barbareno - 8-6-2008 at 04:34 AM

Notice that Juan is the only one drinking beer? Smart man.

Barb

jorgie - 8-6-2008 at 07:13 AM

Juan is a true man.......always drinks the very best...TECATE !!!
( as do I ) :smug:

[Edited on 8-6-2008 by jorgie]

Ken - we go wino touring in NM

capt. mike - 8-6-2008 at 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
Bajaboy,

Thanks for the confirmation, I'm on it!

Ken

every year. the event to hit is the Bernalillo wine fest 30 north of ABQ at the county fair grounds each labor day weekend. NM has 3 major growing areas, 2 north and 1 south all vicinity of the Rio Grande and tributaries north of Sante Fe and south to Las Cruces. the state and growers assoc have excellent web sites.
now the bad news - the wine is never consistent year to year. sometimes it can be good and often VERY mediocre against price.
the festival is a blast tho and there are several dozen exhibitors giving lotsa samples. Case lots can be had cheaper at the festival than at the tasting rooms.

i once got a case at Black Mountain north of Santa Fe and shelved it in my cellar. it was spectacular at the room. by the time i got back into it , all 12 had corked! and at $12 each i was fairly torqued.

proceed with caution on NM wines is my opinion.
of note - the 1st wines planted in N. America were by padres in 1500s in NM geographically. this is publicized on the wine growers websites.