Ameri represents Domaine Bousquet’s top tier of wines. They are sourced from the Bousquet Estate Vineyard that was planted in 1998 and are made only in the best vintages. The land was untamed when the vines were first planted by Anne Bousquet’s father, Jean, and the vineyard has been farmed organically since the very beginning.
As you may know, Domaine Bousquet is an overachiever in Argentina’s organic wine world. Domaine Bousquet’s first certified-organic wines reached the market in 2005. Anne Bousquet and her husband Labid Al Ameri, now the proprietors, have continued to build on the foundation set by Jean. In addition to organic and biodynamic certification, the vineyards are also Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) as of 2022, making Domaine Bousquet only the fourth winery in the world, and first outside the US, to be certified.
The achievements don’t stop there. Domaine Bousquet’s wines are also certified vegan and there is a certified Kosher wine. Domaine Bousquet’s social commitment is reflected in their Fair for Life certification and recent B Corp certification.
Beyond all of the certifications, Domaine Bousquet also has it’s location at 4000 feet above sea level in the Gualtallary region of Tupungato in Mendoza’s Uco Valley going for it. The soils are variable and complex, summers are warm and nights cool thanks to the elevation.
The Ameri Red Blend was first released in 2011. By 2019 winemaker Rodrigo Serrano felt the component varieties in the Red Blend could stand on their own as varietal wines — beginning with Malbec. The vineyard’s location, the highest site on the estate, has both sandy soil with presence of stone, and sandy loam soil with calcareous incrustations.
We received these wines as tasting samples.
2020 Ameri Red Blend, Single Vineyard Gualtallary, Argentina — dark ruby with aromas of red plums, blackberries, earth, dried hay and cedar. Flavors include blackberries, red plums, cedar, earth and dried herbs in a medium body with fresh acidity. Tannins are smooth and well integrated. 14.5% abv. SRP $37
2020 Ameri Malbec, Single Vineyard Gualtallary, Argentina — dark ruby with aromas of boysenberries, ripe blueberries, blackberries and earth. Flavors include boysenberries, blueberries, blackberries and earth in a medium body with fresh acidity. Tannins smooth, but drying. 14.5% abv. SRP $37
Both wines are easy drinking and have good structure. Both were aged in French oak for 12 months. The Red Blend is 60% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon,10% Syrah, 10% Merlot. The Malbec (100%) is a bit more fruit forward, but by no means too ripe. Both are balanced wines that will accompany a meal very well.
Thanks to Creative Palate Communications for organizing our tasting.
Cheers!
