Lots of Good Wine from Argentina <$20

This week’s wines hail from Argentina and all should retail for less than $20. With plenty of prime grilling season left, there are a lot of delicious reds in here that would fare well with grilled meats and crowds of friends and family.

Included in this report are four wines from Domaine Bousquet, whose wines are line-priced at $13, widely available, and deliver for the price. In the mostly Malbec category, two producers Ruca Malén and Nieto Senetiner, also offer value-driven wines that provide a whole lot of stuffing for the sub-$20 price points.

These wines were received as samples and tasted sighted.

2018 Domaine Bousquet Chardonnay - Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, Tupungato
SRP: $13
Light yellow color. Steely aromas, lively and bright with yellow flowers on top of limes and guava. Plush yet crisp with lemon, white peach, yellow apple. Notes of chalk and floral perfume with some wild herb notes. Fresh and vibrant, seafood-friendly style, good for the price. (86 points)

2018 Domaine Bousquet Rosé - Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, Tupungato
SRP: $13
Pale strawberry color. Tangy white cherries, strawberries, salted lime, hints of cucumber, white pepper and cut flower stems. Crisp and lively on the palate with brisk acid and some juicy white cherries, raspberries, strawberries. I get notes of white pepper, sliced cucumber, rhubarb, raspberry leaf. Fun and fresh and quite impressive for the price. A blend of Malbec, Cab Sauv, with some Sauv Blanc and Pinot Gris mixed in. (87 points)

2017 Domaine Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon - Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, Tupungato
SRP: $13
Bright purple color. Aromas of black cherries, juicy red currants, with smoke and leathery notes. Full-bodied, moderate tannins, fresh acidity, this is a velvety but tangy wine with black cherries and crunchy dark plums. Some notes of smoke and dark earth add complexity. Surprising complexity for a wine at this price point. (87 points)

2017 Domaine Bousquet Malbec - Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, Tupungato
SRP: $13

Bold purple color. Nose shows juicy plums, rich blackberries, with vanilla, cocoa and sweet cedar notes. Medium-bodied, smooth tannins and moderating acidity, with jammy raspberry and blackberry fruit. Delicious and very nice for the price. (86 points)

2017 Bodegas Nieto Senetiner Malbec - Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, Vistalba
SRP: $13
Bright purple color. Juicy nose of blackberries and blueberry jam with mint, vanilla and loamy earth. Saucy and plush on the palate with smooth tannins and fresh acidity, supporting blueberry and blackberry fruit. Notes of violets, cocoa and cedar mix together nicely. Pleasant, crowd-pleasing stuff. (86 points)

2015 Bodegas Nieto Senetiner Blend Collection - Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo
SRP: $15
Light purple color. Smoky nose with scorched earth and eucalyptus on top of blackberries and dark currants. Tangy on the palate with some bite to the tannins, and saucy black fruits. Loaded with smoky herbs, espresso, dark chocolate and charcoal. A bit tightly wound but moderating acidity is attractive. Malbec with 35% Cabernet Franc and 15% Petit Verdot. (87 points)

2016 Bodegas Nieto Senetiner Malbec Don Nicanor - Argentina, Mendoza
SRP: $18
Bright purple color. Dark and smoky with plums, black cherry, dark and saucy but really spicy too, with black pepper, sage and scorched earth. Bold presence with dark and rich fruit (blackberries and black cherries) on a frame of dusty tannins, kept alive with tangy acidity, which keeps the lips smacking. Notes of black pepper, leather, coffee, cedar and clove. Really fun for the price, food-friendly and interesting. (88 points)

2015 Bodega Ruca Malén Petit Verdot Terroir Series - Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, Agrelo
SRP: $18
Deep purple color. Deep aromas of tangy black currants and dark plums, along with anise, magic marker and scorched earth. Solid grip on the palate, dry tannins, but tangy acid frames it nicely Crunchy black cherries, tangy black currant, the fruit is dark but fresh and laced with notes of smoke, pine sap, charcoal, anise. So spicy, with a finish showing clove and cedar. Could use a decant and some grilled steak, but this is really impressive for the price. All Petit Verdot aged in a mix of used and new French and American oak for 12 months. (90 points)

2015 Bodega Ruca Malén Malbec Terroir Series - Argentina, Mendoza
SRP: $18
Deep ruby color. The nose shows tart raspberry and rich black cherry, along with roses, and a soapy-floral note. Medium/full-bodied structured quite nicely with medium tannins, but the tangy acidity keeps this wine so lively. Tart red currant, roasted fig, black cherry, the fruit is mixed with notes of tobacco, cove, clay and graphite. Very nice depth yet finishes fresh and floral. All Malbec aged 12 months in a mix of new and used French and American oak. (88 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.