Deep ruby color; cherry, plum, blackberry on the nose; red plum, cherry, blackberry, black olive, blackcurrant, spice on the palate.
Dry; easy-going tannin; some balancing acidity (3.75 pH). USDA certified organic. Vegan friendly. No oak. Medium-plus body. Bold without being boisterous. Smooth. Dark fruits dominate this balanced, value-priced offering.
Virgen refers to a low level of winemaker intervention. Load grapes in the fermentation tank and stand back. That includes adding no sulfites. The result is clean fruit, juicy, fresh, clean. Blend of 35% malbec, 35% cabernet sauvignon, 30% cabernet franc; 100% estate-grown fruit. Vineyard is at cool 4,000 feet altitude in the foothills of the Andes. 14.3% 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 very robust distribution capabilities in the U.S.
Domaine Bousquet Virgen Organic Red Blend, Tupungato Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 2019 is attractive everyday red. Easy drinker. Does not attempt to challenge you or even nudge you out of your comfort zone, which is the point of a wine like this. Doesn’t take your bank account out of your comfort zone, either. Another point for this wine. Fun red. Pair with red sauces and red meat dishes; barbecue; tapas; red sauces; dark turkey and chicken meats; roasted pork; lamb; roasted peppers; blue cheese. Domaine Bousquet again delivers superb QPR (quality-price ratio). $10-13
