Jean Bousquet, a third generation French winemaker, traveled to Argentina in the early 90’s and fell in love with a very particular area named the Gualtallary zone of Tupungato, sub-region of Mendoza’s Uco Valley. Sitting 4,000 feet in the Andean foothills, these high-elevation grape vineyards are considered to produce some of the finest wines in Mendoza.
The Bousquet family, pioneers in the Uco Valley, starting planting vines in Gualtallary in1998. What initially attracted them was the sandy soil, high altitude, and most importantly was groundwater. The climate is dry, with no humidity, allowing them to grow organic grapes. Domaine Bousquet wines have always been made with 100% organically grown grapes.
When the first wine was released in 2005, Jean Bousquet asked his daughter, Anne, to join the family wine business. Anne and her husband Labid Al Ameri had planned to move to Brussels, while there, they attended ProWein, an important annual International wine fair held in Germany. Inspired by their visit, they decided to join the family company.
The intention of the family was to unite the tradition of European wine making with the ideal agricultural conditions in Mendoza. The results prove to be elegant wines that show incredible color, freshness, delicious fruity character, good structure with ripe tannins and perfect acid balance.
Anne and Labid, now divide their time between Tupungato and Miami, working hard in the vineyards and on the road. Today they have 667 acres of vines planted. Together they have escalated Domaine Bousquet into Argentina’s 15th largest winery, selling over 400,000 cases of wine annually the U.S. alone.
Last year new wine labels rolled out, a cheery representation of the winery in bright pastels replaces the traditional black-and-white image. The pictured vineyards, winery and Andes Mountains show Domaine Bousquet’s unique location. The winery tagline, “Naturally Elegant Wines,” is now displayed front and center, as well as the organic certification of the grapes.
Domaine Bousquet offers several tiers of wine at incredible value, all 100% organic. I recently tasted their flagship wine, Ameri, named for co-owner Labid al Ameri, only 500 cases are made, and only in the best vintages. The wine is a special treat, made from their finest grape clusters coming from a single vineyard, located 4,125 feet, the highest on the estate.
Domaine Bousquet Ameri 2015
A malbec-dominant blend, rounded out by cabernet sauvignon, syrah and merlot. Big, bold, and beautiful with rich dark fruit, fig, tobacco and raison flavors, finishes like a lion’s roar. $36
Domaine Bousquet Premium (entry level tier):
Domaine Bousquet Malbec 2017
100% malbec with a dark ruby color. Rich truffle aromas followed by flavors of blackberries, plums and figs. $13
Domaine Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
100% cabernet sauvignon showing a garnet color. A smooth, medium-bodied, easy to drink wine with cherry aromas and dark berry flavors. $13
Domaine Bousquet Rosé 2018
45% malbec, 45% cabernet sauvignon, 5% sauvignon blanc, 5% pinot gris. A fresh and fun light rosé with strawberry aromas and a palate of summer fruit. $13
Domaine Bousquet Chardonnay 2018
100% chardonnay this unoaked wine reflects the freshness of its terroir with citrus aromas overlapping with mango fruit flavors. $13
For more information, visit Domainebousquet.com
Cheers!
JoAnn Actis-Grande is the Wine Editor for Taste of the Seacoast, and writes wine and travel columns for Coastal Home and TheFiftyBest.com. She also writes a weekly column “Let’s Talk Wine” for Seacoast Media Group. Contact her through Wine Jag Journeys.
