Domaine Bousquet doesn’t do anything half way. The 672-acre estate in Gualtallary zone of Tupungato in Mendoza’s Uco Valley lies at an elevation of 4,000 feet above sea level. The vineyards were planted in virgin soil and have been farmed organically since Jean Bousquet established the winery in 1997. In 2011 Jean’s daughter, Anne Bousquet, and her husband Labid Al Ameri became the stewards of Domaine Bousquet and have continued to build on the organic foundation established by Jean.
Since that time the vineyards have become certified biodynamic by Demeter, Domaine Bousquet has become a B Corp member and has become the fourth wine estate (and the first outside the U.S.) to earn Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC)™ status. Their sustainability efforts include water conservation, lightening the weight of wine bottles and social initiatives that benefit their workers. Domaine Bousquet joined the International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) in 2024 and was part of the effort to establish a Greenhouse Gas emissions calculator for wineries in Latin America. And Domaine Bousquet is Argentina’s largest exporter of certified organic wines. Whew, that’s a lot.
Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are the focus of Domaine Bousquet’s winemaking activities. The focus of today’s tasting is Cabernet which is particularly happy growing in the sandy, free-draining soils and arid conditions of the Uco Valley. We received these wines as tasting samples.
2022 Domaine Bousquet Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina — medium ruby with generous aromas of primarily red fruit – red raspberries, cranberries plus blackberries. Flavors include mostly dark berries, earth and brambles with fine, but lingering, tannins in a medium body. ABV 14.5%. SRP $18
The Reserve range of wines is sourced 100% from estate vineyards and are single-varietal wines. The red wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Pinot Noir and are aged for 10 months in French oak and six months in bottle. The Chardonnay is a 50/50 blend of Chardonnay with some oak aging and Chardonnay fermented and aged in-tank.
2022 Domaine Bousquet Alavida Kosher Cabernet Sauvignon, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina — dark ruby with aromas of blackberries, ripe plums and blackberries and earth. Flavors are a combination of red and dark fruit with a bit more body and a richer mouthfeel. Tannins are grippy. ABV 14.5%. SRP $18
Currently Argentina’s first and only Kosher USDA Certified-Organic wine, the Alavida range includes Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Uco Valley fruit is chosen for its higher acidity because no sulfur dioxide may be added during winemaking as a preservative due to the wine’s USDA Certified-Organic label (see below).
2021 Domaine Bousquet Gaia Cabernet Franc, Gualtallary, Mendoza, Argentina — medium ruby with aromas of blackberries, tobacco and earth. Flavors include blackberries, earth and tobacco with a savory component and grippy tannins in a medium body. ABV 14.5%. SRP $20
Wait, Cab Franc? Yep, there is one outlier in the group, but don’t despair, we will taste the 2022 Gaia Cabernet Sauvignon in our next post.
The Gaia range, named for the Greek Earth goddess, Gaia, is sourced from estate vineyards. Beginning with the 2022 vintage, Gaia wines will be certified biodynamic by Demeter. The range includes: White Blend, Red Blend, Rosé (100% Pinot Noir), Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec.
2021 Domaine Bousquet Gran Cabernet Sauvignon, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina — dark ruby with aromas of dark berries, plums and earth. While the aromas tend more toward dark fruit, the flavors are a combination of both red and dark fruit with some earthiness for nice complexity. Tannins are grippy in a medium body. ABV 14.5%. SRP $25
The Gran range of Domaine Bousquet wines is sourced from the “home” vineyard planted by Jean Bousquet in 2000. The soil is sandy with excellent drainage and these grapes are among the last to be harvested. The range includes: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec.
2021 Domaine Bousquet Ameri Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Gualtallary, Mendoza, Argentina — dark ruby with aromas of dark plums, currants, ripe berries and cedar. Flavors include blackberries, plums and earth in a body that is a bit richer and rounder. Tannins are grippy in a medium+ body. ABV 14.5%. SRP $36
Grapes for the Ameri Single Vineyard wines are sourced from the highest estate vineyard situated at 4,125 feet above sea level. The grapes for this wine are the last to be harvested and only the best clusters are used. Only 500 cases are made and only in the best vintages. From the 2022 vintage Ameri wines will be certified biodynamic by Demeter. The range includes: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Ameri is named for the winery’s co-owner.
With the exception of the Alavida Kosher Cabernet Sauvignon, all of these wines are labeled Made With Organic Grapes, which means the wine is made using certified organic grapes and may contain up to 100 ppm of sulfur dioxide. The Alavida Kosher Cabernet Sauvignon is USDA-Certified Organic, a more rigorous standard that requires it be made using certified organic grapes and “added sulfites are prohibited.” This document summarizes the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s (TTB) requirements for organic wine labeling in the US.
These are delightful Cabernets with varying levels of concentration and complexity. Winemaking is deft and not heavy-handed allowing the flavors of the fruit and the vineyard to be expressed fully. What a lovely way to celebrate Earth Month and choose a wine from a winery committed to leaving as light a footprint on Mother Earth as possible.
Our next post will share three wines from the newest vintage of Domaine Bousquet’s Gaia range. Can’t wait!
Thanks to Creative Palate Communications for organizing our tasting.
Cheers!
