Another month, another Domaine Bousquet review. So it seems, anyways. But it's hard to deny picking up a bottle when there's so much consistency and quality to be found, especially at a decent value. This one stems from their higher-end blend line, currently standing at 60% Malbec and 40% other (Cab, Syrah, Merlot) and aged in French Oak. A blend at $40 is a hard sell, but let's see how it stacks up.
Nose: Plum, raisin and oak. More dark fruit as it rests. With a bit of time the dark fruit backs off it gets rich in chocolate and oak influence. Not too much variation after that. A faint trace of baking spice.
Palate: As shown on the nose, but with more oak. Slightly thin texture and tannins. A few more minutes the wood is less pronounced and the dark fruit takes over. More plum and some blackberry on the second sip. Not overly complex or adventurous.
Finish: Medium-length. The black fruit keeps on going along with some spice. Less tannic, but it is still certainly all about the oak here towards the end.
This started out well, but there's too much Merlot and Cab influence here for my biased tastes. It is certainly not my favorite thing that DB has released, but it is drinkable. It's not unpleasant, and folks who like their Malbec on the blended side will sit and enjoy this one for a bit.
$37