It's not always glamour and glitz as we taste and evaluate wines, trying to find the perfect "wine of the month" for whatever month it happens to be. Let's just say that sometimes we have to parse through numerous rough stones to find a gem. But when we find that diamond in the rough, when the stars align and the grapevines smile, it's magic...this is one of those wines.
The Bousquet family hail from the city of Carcassonne, in the South of France and have 4 generations of history in the winemaking tradition. Their passion is to produce wines of superior quality and this is what lead them to Argentina to begin a new chapter. A 1990 vacation in Argentina was all it took. For third-generation winemaker Jean Bousquet, it was love at first sight. The object of the Frenchman's desire: the Gualtallary Valley, a scenic, remote, arid terrain high in the Tupungato district of the Uco Valley in Argentina's Mendoza region, close to the border with Chile. Here, where the condors fly and not a vine in sight, Bousquet discovered his dream terroir, an ideal location in which to nurture organically-grown wines. This Malbec is one of the results of their labors, and wow, does it shine!
The nose is rife with bright red fruits, cherries and berries that add a bit of citrus, loamy earth and graphite. But the fruit is the star, here! Upon tasting, the fruits are reiterated on the palate with cherries, cranberries and raspberries making for a lush and lovely cornucopia of flavors. Backing up the bright fruits we taste hints of spice and minerality, salinity and a touch of black tea. Ample acidity and broad tannins provide structure to keep the wine balanced and light on its feet. The finish is lovely, lasting for minutes, as the fruits and earthier elements come together once more for a flourish of flavor that slowly recedes.
#6 ON WINE SPECTATOR "TOP 10 VALUES OF 2022" - "As wine drinkers become more conscious about what's in their glass, Domaine Bousquet stands out in Argentina as the country's largest exporter of certified organic wines, including representation in 50 countries. When founder Jean Bousquet purchased untouched land in 1998, few were willing to risk growing grapes in Uco Valley's remote and unproven area of Gualtallary in Tupungato, where elevations soar beyond 4,000 feet above sea level. Today, Bousquet's daughter Anne and her husband, Labid al Ameri, operate the winery, whose 593 acres of organically farmed vineyards are the foundation for many of its wines. The 2021 is a tremendous expression of Argentine Malbec. Winemaker Rodrigo Serrano fermented the wine entirely in stainless steel tanks to preserve the lively profile of floral cherry and raspberry notes. It should be widely available wherever you shop for wine and offers an eco-friendly choice to boot. 49,122 cases imported."
WINE SPECTATOR 90 POINTS - "A fresh and lively expression, offering inviting floral cherry and raspberry notes, with loamy earth and spice details weaving in. Ends with a push of fresh acidity and a hint of singed orange peel. Drink now."
The Bousquet family hail from the city of Carcassonne, in the South of France and have 4 generations of history in the winemaking tradition. Their passion is to produce wines of superior quality and this is what lead them to Argentina to begin a new chapter. A 1990 vacation in Argentina was all it took. For third-generation winemaker Jean Bousquet, it was love at first sight. The object of the Frenchman's desire: the Gualtallary Valley, a scenic, remote, arid terrain high in the Tupungato district of the Uco Valley in Argentina's Mendoza region, close to the border with Chile. Here, where the condors fly and not a vine in sight, Bousquet discovered his dream terroir, an ideal location in which to nurture organically-grown wines. This Malbec is one of the results of their labors, and wow, does it shine!
The nose is rife with bright red fruits, cherries and berries that add a bit of citrus, loamy earth and graphite. But the fruit is the star, here! Upon tasting, the fruits are reiterated on the palate with cherries, cranberries and raspberries making for a lush and lovely cornucopia of flavors. Backing up the bright fruits we taste hints of spice and minerality, salinity and a touch of black tea. Ample acidity and broad tannins provide structure to keep the wine balanced and light on its feet. The finish is lovely, lasting for minutes, as the fruits and earthier elements come together once more for a flourish of flavor that slowly recedes.
#6 ON WINE SPECTATOR "TOP 10 VALUES OF 2022" - "As wine drinkers become more conscious about what's in their glass, Domaine Bousquet stands out in Argentina as the country's largest exporter of certified organic wines, including representation in 50 countries. When founder Jean Bousquet purchased untouched land in 1998, few were willing to risk growing grapes in Uco Valley's remote and unproven area of Gualtallary in Tupungato, where elevations soar beyond 4,000 feet above sea level. Today, Bousquet's daughter Anne and her husband, Labid al Ameri, operate the winery, whose 593 acres of organically farmed vineyards are the foundation for many of its wines. The 2021 is a tremendous expression of Argentine Malbec. Winemaker Rodrigo Serrano fermented the wine entirely in stainless steel tanks to preserve the lively profile of floral cherry and raspberry notes. It should be widely available wherever you shop for wine and offers an eco-friendly choice to boot. 49,122 cases imported."
WINE SPECTATOR 90 POINTS - "A fresh and lively expression, offering inviting floral cherry and raspberry notes, with loamy earth and spice details weaving in. Ends with a push of fresh acidity and a hint of singed orange peel. Drink now."
Overall Rating
0 out of 5 Based on 0 Review
