The results from the Jan. 31 Mini Tasting are in, and it was a dominant night for South American reds. The competition was fierce among the 10 featured wines, but Domaine Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina emerged as the clear victor. Sweeping the board with the top vote in five of six host sites.
Our panel of expert judges were able to identify the crowd-pleasing profile that balanced Argentina’s signature ripeness with the structure of a classic Cabernet.
Taking the second-place silver was another Argentine standout, the El Enemigo Cabernet Franc, which finished five of six sites identifying this wine as their second favorite. This result highlights the rising popularity of Argentine Cabernet Franc, known for its herbal complexity and elegant tannins.
Rounding out the podium in third place was the Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand which was the highest rated white wine of the evening, narrowly edged out the Australian Filius Cabernet Sauvignon by just one point. The Nautilus, is praised for its bright acidity and “textural component,” providing a refreshing counterpoint to the heavier reds that led the pack.
Warranting a mention is the South African Chardonnay from Glenelly, which was the only wine other than the Domaine Bousquet to receive top honors at a host site.
As is typically the case with our group, each of the 10 wines were enjoyed and recognized across the six host sites. Despite the variety of regions represented—from the Uco Valley to Marlborough—the evening ultimately belonged to Argentina, which claimed the top two spots and reaffirmed its status as a powerhouse for bold, high-scoring varietals.
I hope everyone enjoyed our little trip around the world. While these wines featured grapes we know well, their unique terroir, altitude, and cultural history should have made them feel simultaneously familiar and entirely new.
—Don Mayer, OCWS Mini-Tasting Chair
