Sipping Organics
"The land was unspoiled, and we weren’t about to spoil it."
Domaine Bousquet began in 1997 when Jean Bousquet, a fourth‑generation winemaker from Carcassonne, sold off the family winery and scandalized his kin to chase a hunch in Argentina’s Uco Valley. The land he bought in Gualtallary had no water, no electricity, and one dirt road, but he saw high‑altitude, sandy soils and extreme temperature swings as perfect for organic vines. He drilled 400 feet for water, planted, and by the early 2000s was harvesting, eventually becoming the valley’s largest vineyard owner.
By 2011, Jean handed the reins to his daughter Anne and her husband Labid Al Ameri, keeping a small parcel for himself. Anne made organics non‑negotiable, stacking certifications like trophies: Regenerative Organic (first in the Southern Hemisphere), B Corp, Fair for Life. She also built roads and promoted workers from bottling line to management - stewardship with a social conscience. Approximately 50% of the vineyards are not just organic, but biodynamic - I believe the intent is to reach 100% in the future. This already makes them the largest biodynamic producer in Argentina.
The “why organic” piece was never a gimmick. Jean and Anne had watched the Languedoc slide into chemical‑heavy farming, and decided from day one that Gualtallary’s untouched soils would stay that way. As Anne put it, “the land was unspoiled, and we weren’t about to spoil it.” Organics were baked in from the first vine, not bolted on later as a marketing flourish.
The wines lean fresh and elegant thanks to 4,000‑foot altitude. The flagship Ameri (Labid insisted on his name on the label) comes mostly as a Malbec‑heavy blend or straight Malbec, while Gaia and Reserve tiers keep things accessible. Exports hit 7 million liters annually, about two‑thirds of Argentina’s organic wine exports; with critics routinely handing out mid‑90s scores and praising the value compared to Napa or Bordeaux.
Enter Rodrigo Serrano, pharmacist’s son turned winemaker, now COO and head enologist. His curiosity about chemistry led him to Don Bosco’s vinicultural school, then harvest work at Terrazas de los Andes, a stint in the U.S., and finally Domaine Bousquet. With nearly two decades of experience, he expanded the estate’s soil mapping from 9 parcels to 81, vinifying each separately; Burgundy‑style precision transplanted to Mendoza. The Single Block line emerged, with numbered parcels like collectible editions. His mission: prove organic wine isn’t a compromise but a high‑altitude advantage, and keep innovation flowing with new varietals and techniques.
On to a recent sommelier association tasting of their Ameri, higher end wines….
Ameri Sauvignon Blanc 2025 - 100% Sauvignon blanc, 75% of which was fermented in barrique, 15% in stainless steel, and 10% in concrete. Pale gold in color with a clear rim. Pear, tangerine, honey, wet stone, and a slight “barnyard” note. Dry, medium-high acidity, light to medium bodied, and a slightly hot finish. Really quite a lovely Sauvignon, though not inexpensive at 58000 pesos.
Then a trio of vintages of one wine:
Ameri Red Blend 2017 - 60% Malbec, 20% Cabernet sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Syrah. Dark garnet red with a brick rim. Tobacco, bacon fat, mixed fruits, though blackberry stands out for me. Dry, medium acidity, light to medium bodied, dry tannins. It’s aged nicely, I liked the profile. Interestingly, in a show of hands, I think I was the only one who liked this the best of the three. No price as the vintage is probably not available at general retail outlets anymore.
Ameri Red Blend 2019 - This was the first vintage of this wine overseen by Serrano, and he was clearly pimping for it to be everyone’s favorite, or at least as “better than” the earlier vintage. Ruby red color, holding to the rim. Red fruits, green leaf, lightly floral, and a licorice note. Dry, medium to high acidity, light to medium bodied, soft tannins, and slightly hot finish. Definitely the most “easy drinking” of the three, just not, for me, as complex as the earlier one. Also probably not available retail anymore.
Ameri Red Blend 2022 - The current release, with a new blend of 54% Malbec, 39% Cabernet sauvignon, and 7% Merlot. This one has won awards, and garnered an impressive 94 points from James Suckling. For me, it’s a very “international red” style - it’s lost some sort of distinctive regional quality that I think the two earlier wines had, and for me, just tasted like a too young red blend that could have been produced by any of numerous producers. Ruby red, purple notes. Red fruits, a bit of that sort of caramelized oak treacle and vanilla. Dry, fairly high acidity, medium bodied, and the tannins are still too astringent to be pleasant to drink. 58000 pesos, but honestly, I’d look for one of the older ones.
Ameri Blend 2023 - I wasn’t quite clear on this one, I think it’s the next wine “to be released” in the Red Blend line, or maybe as a new blend, but isn’t there yet. It’s a different blend than the others - 40% Malbec, 40% Cabernet sauvignon, and 20% Cabernet franc. Purple red, dark, holding to the rim. Mix or red fruits and warm, almost pumpkin spices, and notes of bitter chocolate. Dry, fairly high acidity, medium bodied, soft tannins (surprising for a wine this young, and in comparison to the others). It still strikes me as a sort of “international red” style, but more enjoyable. I’m guessing it will be, or is, priced at the same 58000 pesos as the rest of the line, but it’s not listed on their site yet.
Ameri Malbec 2024 - 100% Malbec, harvested from eight different parcels in different parts of the region. Purple red, holding to the rim. Classic Malbec notes of black plums and violets - immediately recognizable. Dry, medium acidity, medium bodied, soft tannins. Great example of a well made Malbec, again, 58000 pesos the bottle.
Ameri Cabernet Franc 2024 - I gather a bit of a new venture for them, to bottle their Cabernet franc separately. I wasn’t clear if this was the first actual vintage released, but it’s certainly one of the first if not the. Dark ruby color. Brambly, black olive, blackberry, toast. Also very recognizable for the grape. Dry, medium acidity, medium bodied, slightly hot, and with still green tannins. I think this is going to turn out to be excellent in another year or two. 58000 pesos.
Ameri “Wild Roots” Malbec Block 04 - 100% Malbec, and at least to me, clearly made to attract that international style palate. Inky purple. Yellow (shiro) plums, spices - particularly mace and nutmeg, vanilla. Dry, medium-hi acidity, medium bodied, soft tannins. Very drinkable, even though young. Certainly an appealing wine for the market, but, like the more recent Red Blend vintage, it doesn’t have anything distinct to say about the Gualtallary region. And whether it’s worth the 90000 peso price tag? I suppose as much as anyone else’s in that style and range.