For a change, I got a happy notification from Nextdoor! A Mexican restaurant opened up a few blocks away from where I live, Cantina Los Mayas. One of their big selling points is an all Mexican wine list. It’s a much larger list than I was expecting and many are available by the glass and half-glass.
While I’ve had various Valle de Guadalupe wines before - my experience is mostly with Nebbiolo. Any recommendations on what to try first?
We have drunk the Bichi PetMex, 2019, it was very tasty and refreshing, not particularly contemplative but quite nice with dinner. At the time it was purchased from Chambers at about $25, fwiw
Just heard about this place as well, and have been meaning to check it out. I don’t think I’ve ever had a wine from Mexico… maybe one or two from Baja. Let us know what you think if you try it.
I have zero excuses about not trying them given how close it is.
The way I describe the Mexican wines I’ve had fits into one word - Rustic. But that’s based upon my limited tasting from 5 different wineries that I have either randomly visited or bought bottles at from one of the local Taquerias.
That’s a useful price point to have. A random walk of the list showed that most of the wines were in the 2-2.5x markup range, which is well in my “I will go support their wine program” threshold. Too many places around me have crossed the 3x range. I forget where it was, but I recently saw Line 39 PN for 55 bucks a bottle -
Last Mexican wine I had was almost 50 years ago and it was pretty nasty…but cheap. Only around $2.
The Bodegas Lurton Chenin is super delicious! The Emeve and Casa Magoni work a lot better than the grape blends may make you think.
Unfortunately I’m not familiar with any of the BtG reds, so that will probably be more you talking with the somm
I’m not going to help, but is anyone in Mexico planting Falanghina and Aglianico up on a volcano? Guess it is hard to compete with Italy at the price point–but that is what I would be planting
I’ve had the Casa Madero Cab and liked it. Do a side-by-side with their two offerings?
I mean with so many half pours on offer, I’m sure you could negotiate a flight?
Also a fan but carries some rs, FWIW.
You could probably say that about California Pinot Noir as well -
There will be some VERY good wine in there. Love that everything can come in half glass.
That’s where your say “okay, show me what you got and why” and let house do the work.
Fun stuff.
Maybe, but there were still more California producers at that time than in all of Mexico, which I think only had a few companies involved in the production of wine. Most grape was turned into local cognac. But the mezcal/tequila was good!
I tried a 2017 Adobe Guadalupe Rafael a few months back as they are supposed to be one of the premiere producers in Mexico, and unfortunately it was pretty bad. Here’s my note below. Rated it 83 points.
‘Was excited to try a strong Mexican wine from whom I was told was a great producer…but sadly I was pretty underwhelmed. Maybe its too young (I’m sure it is), but it was just a clunky mess of black fruits without much in the way of complexity, or pleasure for that matter. I’m open to trying more Mexican wine and will for sure keep an open mind…but at this moment, this wine was not great.’