Behind the Cork™ - Domaine Bousquet Cameleon Signature Organic Chardonnay

2022 Domaine Bousquet Cameleon Signature Organic Chardonnay ($15)

Like its namesake, Cameleon is the embodiment of adaptation to the environment. The label symbolizes the story of the Bousquet family, a fourth-generation family that left their native France after a long worldwide search for an idyllic wine growing region. Their search came to a natural conclusion in Tupungato where the Bousquet family tailored their extensive winemaking knowledge to the carefully chosen land. The European grapes such as Chardonnay, also adapted to the characteristics of the fertile Argentinean soil, creating the distinctive wine the family had sought.

This Cameleon Signature Organic Chardonnay is produced from 100% Chardonnay grown in vineyards in the Uco Valley at the foot of the Andes at 4000 feet. It spent six months in contact with French oak. It is pale gold in color with delicate aromas of apple and crème brûlée. On the palate, this medium-light bodied Chardonnay has flavors of yellow apple, baked pear and pineapple. It finishes bright with a hint of tartness.

This Domaine Bousquet Cameleon Signature Organic Chardonnay is unique in that its fruit flavors and mouthfeel are somewhere between an un-oaked and a lightly-oaked Chardonnay. Perfect for the coming warm weather months. For these reasons, and its great price, Cameleon is featured as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Domaine Bousquet

Behind the Cork™ - Domaine Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon

2022 Domaine Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon ($13)

A 1990 vacation in Argentina was all it took. For third-generation winemaker Jean Bousquet, it was love at first sight. The object of the Frenchman’s desire: the Gualtallary Valley, a scenic, remote, arid terrain high in the Tupungato district of the Uco Valley in Argentina’s Mendoza region, close to the border with Chile. Here, where the condors fly and not a vine in sight, Bousquet discovered his dream terroir, an ideal location in which to nurture organically-grown wines.

Jean Bousquet reckoned he’d found the perfect blend between his French homeland and the New World with the sun, with potential for high natural acidity in wine grapes as well as the potential for relatively fruit-forward wines.

It worked out well. Domaine Bousquet now produces 4 million liters a year and export 95% of its volume to more than 50 countries. With their own import companies in the USA, Europe, and Brazil, Domaine Bousquet currently ranks in the top 20 Argentine wineries in terms of exports and is the leader in organic wine.

This 2022 Domaine Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100% organic grapes from Tupungato Uco Valley Mendoza Argentina. They were fermented with selected yeasts for 10 days. It is deep ruby in color with aromas of black plum, black berry and raspberry along with delicate spicy notes. On the palate this wine is medium bodied with medium tannin and acidity. It finishes light with subtle spicy notes. [ABV: 14%, Acidity: 5.23 g/L, pH: 3.7, Residual Sugar: 2.09 g/L]

If a ‘big’ Cab is not for you, this wine is one that you may enjoy. It has more of a bright fruit focus on the palate and ends easy without heavy tannin.

This organically grown Cabernet Sauvignon from Domaine Bousquet is great tasting and a super value which makes it a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Domaine Bousquet

Behind the Cork™ - Domaine Bousquet Malbec

2022 Domaine Bousquet Malbec ($13)

A 1990 vacation in Argentina was all it took. For third-generation winemaker Jean Bousquet, it was love at first sight. The object of the Frenchman’s desire: the Gualtallary Valley, a scenic, remote, arid terrain high in the Tupungato district of the Uco Valley in Argentina’s Mendoza region, close to the border with Chile. Here, where the condors fly and not a vine in sight, Bousquet discovered his dream terroir, an ideal location in which to nurture organically-grown wines.

Jean Bousquet reckoned he’d found the perfect blend between his French homeland and the New World with the sun, with potential for high natural acidity in wine grapes as well as the potential for relatively fruit-forward wines.

It worked out well. Domaine Bousquet now produces 4 million liters a year and export 95% of its volume to more than 50 countries. With their own import companies in the USA, Europe, and Brazil, Domaine Bousquet currently ranks in the top 20 Argentine wineries in terms of exports and is the leader in organic wine.

This 2020 Domaine Bousquet Malbec is produced from 100% organic grapes from the foothills of the Andes at 4000 feet. It was fermented with selected yeasts for 10 days and was un-oaked. It is deep purple in color, with aromas of dark red and black fruits. On the palate, this Malbec is medium-full bodied with flavors of black cherry, boysenberry and red plum. It has medium tannin and medium-high acidity and finishes with spicy notes.

This organically grown Malbec from Domaine Bousquet is great tasting and a super value which makes it a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Domaine Bousquet

Behind the Cork™ - Domaine Bousquet White Wines

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

Behind the Cork™ - Alto de la Ballena Reserva

2018 Alto de la Ballena Reserva Tannat-Viognier ($26)

Alto de la Ballena is a small winery founded by husband and wife Paula Pivel and Alvaro Lorenzo.

They began its plantations in 2001 with first harvest in 2005 and the first wines were presented to the market in 2007.

Located in the Sierra de la Ballena, 15 km (9.3 miles) from the coast, Alto de la Ballena combines oceanic air and mountain soils. There are just over 8 hectares (~20 acres) of Merlot, Tannat, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Viognier, for a limited production of high quality wines.

This wine is produced from both Tannat (85%) and Viognier (15%) grapes. This blending of a red wine grape with a white wine grape has many benefits. Both grape-types are hand picked and crushed into the same vat where, after macerating at low temperature for three days, they co-ferment. Then, the wine is then aged for nine months in American oak barrels. (14% ABV, Total Acidity: 6.1 g/L, pH: 3.4, RS: 1.9 g/L)

This 2018 Alto de la Ballena wine is medium ruby in color with medium aromas of red fruit and floral notes. On the palate this medium-full bodied wine has nice flavors of black and red fruit. The typically big and bold Tannat profile is definitely softened by the addition of the Viognier. But, it softens even more in the decanter for an hour. It has a medium-long finish.

This 2018 Alto de la Ballena Reserva Tannat-Viognier blend presents Tannat uniquely and is a must-try for Tannat lovers. And, at this price, it’s a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Media Sample Provided by Alto de la Ballena Bodega Y Viñedos