Embraced for their freshness, vibrant aromatics and fruit-forward qualities, wines from the Gualtallary zone of Tupungato in Mendoza’s Uco Valley have become “must-haves” for Argentine connoisseurs. With altitudes ranging up to 5,249 feet, Gualtallary occupies the highest extremes of Mendoza’s viticultural limits.
Domaine Bousquet, an early pioneer in this high-altitude sub-region of the Uco Valley, stands out for its singular reliance on eco-friendly organic fruit. And their prices are very competitive!
Today, Domaine Bousquet is housed in a striking modern winery, complete with a hospitality area and restaurant, and the property accounts for approximately 600 acres planted under vine.
2023 Domaine Bousquet Sauvignon Blanc ($13) - The organically grown 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes used produce this wine were sourced from the Uco Valley. They were harvested early in the morning to preserve the freshness of the fruit. They were then fermented in stainless steel with selected yeasts for 10 days. The wine is un-oaked, to highlight the fruit and its varietal expression. This wine is medium yellow with green hints. Upon opening the bottle and pouring a glass, there were tiny bubbles observed in the bottle and in the glass. On the nose this wine has medium-high notes of citrus, lime and grass. On the palate, this light-bodied wine has flavors of green apple and bright acidity. It finishes smooth with a very slight sweetness. (ABV: 12.5, Acidity: 5.32 g/L, pH: 3.26, RS: 1.03 g/L)
2023 Domaine Bousquet Unoaked Chardonnay ($23) - The organically grown 100% Chardonnay grapes used produce this wine were sourced from the Uco Valley. They were harvested early in the morning to preserve the freshness of the fruit. They were then fermented in stainless steel with selected yeasts for 10 days. This Chardonnay is un-oaked, to highlight the fruit and its varietal expression. This wine is medium gold in color with a subtle aroma of apple. On the palate, this medium-bodied un-oaked Chardonnay has crisp flavors of green apple and tangerine with good acidity. It finishes with the bright tartness of a green apple. If you are a Sauvignon Blanc lover, you should check this one out! (ABV: 13, Acidity: 5.55 g/L, pH: 3.30, RS: 1.76 g/L)
Both of these organically grown white wines from Domaine Bousquet are great tasting and a super value which makes them a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Media Samples Provided by Domaine Bousquet
