Pale ruby-garnet color; cherry, raspberry, strawberry, licorice, plum, cola, late minerality on the nose and palate.
Dry; mild tannins, good acidity adds freshness. Light-medium body. Bright fruit. Simple, straightforward. No ethereal complexity, but some structure from the mild tannin. A solid value pinot noir. This wine had a relatively short visit of six-to-eight months in French oak, so the wood influence is subtle. Nothing wrong with that. Organically grown grapes. 13.5% ABV
The Bousquet family has four generations of winemaking experience. They arrived in Mendoza, Argentina, from France in 1990 and fell in love with the possibilities. They purchased land in the foothills of the Andes in 1997 in the Tupungato Valley, elevation 4,000 feet, one of the higher altitude vineyards in Argentina and the world. The climate is very dry, allowing Domaine Bousquet to have excellent water control through drip irrigation using meltwater from nearby Andes Mountains.
The winery is one of the world’s most awarded fully organic operations. As their website states: “We are dedicated to farming organically while improving our land’s biodiversity. We believe that the healthier the vineyard, the better the fruit and of course the wine. In other words, by nourishing the land and treating it with respect, we know that the land will give us back its finest fruits.” And: “Organic crops are grown in harmony with nature without using any chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Organic agriculture uses natural fertilizers such as compost.”
The Bronco Wine Company is the U.S. distributor. Bronco is a major U.S. wine maker—best known for “Two Buck Chuck”—but they also represent more serious brands, such as this one, and have a long history of distributing imported wines in the U.S. The big advantage for Domaine Bousquet is Bronco’s robust distribution capabilities in the U.S.
Domaine Bousquet Reserve Pinot Noir, Tupangato Uco Valley 2021 is a solid pinot noir value play. Bright fruit. Will not challenge your palate with complexity, but will succor your wallet. Good QPR. Some pinot attitude, but more to make this interesting rather than render it a tough swallow. Pair with lighter meats; veal; salmon and rich seafood—tuna, mackerel, grilled swordfish; light fish—trout; oysters, mussels, lobster, crab—especially with cocktail sauce or mignonette; pork tenderloin; chicken and duck dishes with sauces; vegetarian fare Cheese—sheep’s milk and semi-soft cheeses; gruyère, comté, emmenthal, gouda, abbaye de belloc, zamarano, manchego, roucoulons, aged cheddar. $14-17
