Behind the Cork™ - 2022 Ameri “Wild Roots” Malbec by Domaine Bousquet

2022 Ameri “Wild Roots” Malbec ($85)

Domaine Bousquet is Argentina’s largest producer and exporter of wines made from 100% certified organic fruit. The Ameri label of wines is named for co-owner Labid Al Ameri, Domaine Bousquet’s co-owner.

Ameri wines are only made in exceptional years and exclusively from selected grape clusters harvested from the estates’ best vineyard.

This “Wild Roots” Malbec is a limited, single-block wine from Eva Estate’s Block 3, of stony calcareous soils and deep-rooted vines.

The Malbec grapes used to produce Ameri were harvested by hand, with careful selection of clusters and berries. Fermented occurred with native yeasts in 400-liter oak barrels, followed by a total maceration of 30 days. The wine the aged 12 months in French oak and refined for one additional year in the bottle.

Ameri ‘Wild Roots” Malbec is deep purple in color with dark fruit aromas. On the palate, this full-bodied Malbec has deep, rich dark fruit flavors and soft tannins. It’s well balanced, complex and finishes smooth and soft. (ABV: 14.5)

Domaine Bousquet’s Ameri Wild Roots Block 03 Malbec is an outstanding wine! A perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

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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

Wine Words: What is Complexity?

I was recently enjoying a good glass of red wine and commented that it had good complexity. I was then asked “What is complexity in a wine?

While there is no standard definition and it can be subjective, here’s a brief description and some key characteristics of a “complex” wine:

Complex wines typically have multiple layers of flavors, aromas, and textures that evolve as you taste it. They aren’t just one-dimensional or simple. They may start with rich fruity notes, but as you sip, a complex wine can also show earthy, spicy, or floral notes. A complex wine can continue changing and offering new things, often making it more interesting the longer you sip it.

Key Characteristics of a “Complex” wine:

• Big or full flavors, aromas and mouth-feel textures

• Various flavors and sensations; multi-layered

• Combinations of flavors including fruit, spices, flower notes, earthiness or herbs

• Rich flavors

• Good balance of alcohol, acidity, tannin and residual sugar - nothing sticks out

• A long finish of flavor

• Often exhibit the quality and craftsmanship of the winemaker’s ability to ferment and age a wine

• The grapes are from specific well-regarded wine regions (e.g., Bordeaux, Napa)

So to sum it up, “complexity” can mean different things to different people, but complex wines typically exhibit multiple flavors as well as flavor diversity. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - 2024 Ameri “Eva Estate” Sauvignon Blanc by Domaine Bousquet

2024 Ameri “Eva Estate” Sauvignon Blanc ($35)

Domaine Bousquet, Argentina’s largest producer and exporter of wines made from 100% certified organic fruit, is introducing their 2024 single-vineyard Ameri Sauvignon Blanc, the first white wine from the winery’s Ameri label. Named for co-owner Labid Al Ameri, Domaine Bousquet’s “Ameri” wines are only made in exceptional years and exclusively from selected grape clusters harvested from the estates’ best vineyard.

The grapes used to produce Ameri Sauvignon Blanc were sourced from the heart of Plot No. 9 of their Eva Estate vineyard in Gualtallary Argentina at an elevation of 4124 ft (1,257 m), a high-altitude wine region in the Uco Valley of Mendoza, Argentina. The sandy-calcareous soils have been found to be the most expressive sections of the vineyard.

The grapes were hand-harvested early in the morning to preserve their freshness. The grapes were then gently pressed under reductive conditions (i.e., minimal exposure to oxygen) with dry ice to protect the aromatic profile. The wine fermented in French oak barrels (50% new, 50% second use) at low temperatures (13 °C / 55 °F), with no malolactic conversion. The wine was then aged for 8 months in barrel and 6 months in bottle.

This Ameri Sauvignon Blanc is pale gold in color with nice tropic fruit aromas, some baked pear and a touch of vanilla from the oak aging. On the palate, this light-bodied wine has wonderful tropical fruit flavors of pineapple along with green apple and pear. It is light and bright but finishes smooth with just a bit creaminess.

This Domaine Bousquet 2024 Ameri “Eva Estate” Sauvignon Blanc is a real treat at this price, making it a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

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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

Wine Terms - Have You Ever Heard of Plonk?

In a recent conversation, the term “plonk” came up. And there was the question “What is Plonk?”

Word has it that plonk came from Australian soldiers during World War I, who borrowed the term from a playful mispronunciation of the French vin blanc (meaning “white wine”). But, over time, the meaning has broadened to refer not just to white wine but any inexpensive or cheap wine.

Others have noted that the word “Plonk” sounds like something being dropped or plunked down, which may have reinforced the association with something low-grade.

“Plonk” is most commonly used in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, but you’ll also certainly hear it in the U.S. too.

It doesn’t always imply terrible wine—just cheap or unrefined.

Some keys to identifying “Plonk” include:

• Extremely generic labels: “Red Blend,” “White Wine,” “Winemaker’s Selection” with no detail

• No listed vintage

• Vague wine region listing such as “European Union” instead of a specific country/area

• Ultra-low prices

• Heavy oak flavoring from chips or staves

• High residual sugar to otherwise hide any flaws

So, now you know. If someone refers to a wine as being real “Plonk” they are using slang to say the wine is not good.

Here’s to drinking good wine! Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Serial XXVI Red Blend

2021 Serial XXVI Red Blend ($35)

Serial Wines is a part of the John Anthony Wine & Spirits portfolio, including John Anthony Vineyards, Serial Wines, Weather, and JaM Cellars.

After decades of grape growing and winemaking in Napa Valley—first on his family’s estate and then under his own label, John Anthony was introduced to the wine growing community in Paso Robles by their current winemaker, Jeff Kandarian - a multi-award-winning winemaker.

This Serial XXVI Red Blend from Paso Robles is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Petite Sirah, 3.5% Tempranillo, 1.5% Syrah and 1.5% Grenache. It was aged in 25% new French oak and 24% new American oak.

Serial XXVI is a medium ruby red in color with nice red and black fruit aromas. On the palate, this medium-full-bodied wine has red and black fruit flavors with medium tannin and medium-high acidity. It’s got jammy fruit flavors with a touch of sweetness on the finish.

This Serial XXVI Red Blend is very easy-drinking with lots of fruit-forward flavors. It’s a nice fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!