Domaine Bousquet makes a wide variety of wines from it vineyards in the high terroir of the foothills of the Andes, in the Mendoza Region of Argentina. At over 4000 feet above sea level, the vineyards in the Uco Valley benefit from lots of sunshine, little rain, sandy soil and a huge diurnal temperature swing which can reach 50 degrees. There’s a reason the Mendoza Region is known around the world as a premier wine making area. Domaine Bousquet takes an organic approach in all of their vineyards, striving to showcase the natural advantages the climate and soil provide.
If you visit the Domaine Bousquet website (https://domainebousquet.com/en/) you can learn more about their approach, and also about the many different lines of wine they produce. Ranging from entry level to premium and super premium, there is something for everyone. All of them display the commitment to an organic approach. The Bousquet family brought four generations of winemaking experience in the south of France with them when they came to Argentina to start their winery in the 1990’s.
Here we’ll look at three wines from Bousquet’s Virgen line; entry level, certified organic wines that are line priced at only $13.
2021 Virgen Organic Chardonnay – 100% Chardonnay coming in at 12.8% alcohol, this is finished in stainless steel. The grapes
were harvested in February in different phases, the first to capture the freshness and acidity, the second to add aromatics and maturity. It is a medium golden color and brilliant. A rich nose shows apple, apricot and honeysuckle as well as clean minerality. It is crisp on the palate with good acid and balance. The minerality continues through the end. This is a good wine, and a very good value at $13.
2021 Virgen Organic Cabernet Sauvignon – this is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, with alcohol at 14%. There is no oak used here, all you get is pure fruit and everything it has to offer. There are no sulfites either, and the wine is certified organic. Out of the bottle the color is a very dark, opaque purple red. The nose is full of ripe fruit along with herbs and a little savory quality. You’d almost guess this had seen some oak treatment. It is quite tannic with a youthful feel. Blackberry forms the core which leads to a long finish. It’s very good, and even a little better the next day when some plum joins the party. A lot of wine for $13, it is highly recommended.
2021 Virgen Organic Malbec – 100% Malbec and also 14% alcohol, made with the same approach and the same lack of oak. The color
resembles the Cab, dark purple red and opaque. The fruits are darker here, with medium+ body. Floral notes of violets add complexity and medium+ tannins frame everything. The finish is long and satisfying. A great value at $13, this is also highly recommended.
The Virgen line of wines represents an excellent price to quality option. The reds are also a great way to experience unoaked varietals that are almost always treated with wood. They’re different and delicious. This is pure fruit, and you don’t miss the oak in these at all. We recommend all of the wines above.
A votre santé!
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