Pale copper color. The nose shows a mix of crushed sweet tarts and seashells over top of red apple, orange peel, with notes of chalk dust, dandelion, and floral perfume. Crisp and punchy on the palate, this is light and fun with bold bubbles and chalky, salty freshness throughout. Red apples, watermelon, white peach, the fruit has slight notes of honey and bread dough, with nuances of white flowers, rose petals, spiced tea. Sparkling wines in the $15 range can be a minefield (especially if you don’t like sugary-sweet, off-balance wines) – this is a diamond in the rough. A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay made via the Charmat method.

Light yellow color. The nose shows a fun, zesty approach with green and yellow apples and limes, mixed with tones of white pepper and spicy green herbs, honeysuckle. The palate is crisp and spritely with a light, zesty appeal and fresh limes and green apples. It has some nice tones of white pepper, celery seed, honeysuckle, dandelion, it has a light but complex feel with a bright, steely, herbal style. Low calorie or not, if you like Sauv Blanc or lighter Chards, this is worth checking out.

Vibrant purple color. The nose shows smoky figs, strawberry jam, with spicy and tangy cranberry relish, along with notes of rose petals, violets, and mint chewing tobacco. Ripe tannins, soft and plush, with acidity that keeps things lively and fresh. Fun and accessible style, but the fruit tastes legit, with complexities of tangy red berries and fig compote. The notes of dried flowers, bay leaf, pepper, and tobacco add a lot to enjoy, and it has this fresh, mineral, dusty finish. A lot of personality and complexity, especially considering the price. Would be a great by-the-glass wine at a grill or bistro.

Juicy light purple color. So springy and fun on the nose with sweet red plums, juicy red cherries, and raspberries, sweet but vibrant fruit, laced with rose petals, rhubarb, some black tea, all sorts of red flowers and inviting elements. Suave tannins, smooth and fresh on the palate, lively acidity, and the fruit gushes with red plums and raspberry jam. Fun and chewy but complex and balanced, with earthy, peppery, floral subtleties, with some clove and tobacco tones. Mouthfeel is blissful, and this is just so much fun. Malbec that undergoes carbonic maceration.

Dark purple color. The nose is a nice mix of roasted and jammy fruits (plums, raspberries, black currant) along with an interesting mix of roasted red pepper, cracked black pepper, tar, black tea, and mocha. A chewy but vibrant approach with fresh raspberries, ripe black cherries, and some tangy blueberry. The peppery, beefy, smoky, earthy tones add a lot of complexity and food-friendly vibes, and I get some floral and herbal tones, too. The first wine that launched Bousquet’s Gaia line, this is a blend of Malbec, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vibrant purple color. The nose kicks off with a pleasant, spicy mix of tobacco, sage, clove, anise, over top of raspberries, red cherries, and tangy summer plums. The palate shows light-dusty tannins, lively acidity, and a tart, crunchy core of raspberries, red apple, and red cherries. There are a lot of complex floral and spice tones to appreciate in here (campfire, anise, bacon fat, tart, earth). Fun and fresh, could even be nice with a slight chill on a warm day, but the complexity and balance is really nice.

Light purple color. The nose shows a mix of grilled black fruits, roasted figs, tart cranberry, with plenty of smoky earth, graphite, grilled steak and mushrooms, some anise and leather – lovely. On the palate, this shows a suave mix of medium acidity and smooth tannins with plummy, saucy fruit, like black cherries, roasted plums, currant jam, along with notes of pepper, anise, charcoal, minerals. Fresh and accessible but shows a lot of depth, balance, and flavors. Really solid for the price!

Vibrant purple color. Aromatically, this boasts juicy black cherries with spicy, red-fruited notes of cranberry relish and tart red currants, laced with savory tones of smoke an leather, tar, violets, potting soil. The palate shows a lovely mix of crisp, fresh acidity, with dusty tannins and a bright, juicy mix of plums, black cherries, raspberry jam, along with a host of smoky, minty, charcoal, earth, roasted red pepper tones. Fun and fresh but savory and complex, this would be a great by-the-glass option at a steak house or bistro.

Deep purple color. The nose shows a delightful mix of tangy red currants with the juiciest black cherries, topped in notes of charcoal, smoky earth, savory herbs and spices, black pepper, tobacco. The palate shows well-rounded tannins for structure and moderate acidity for balance, and the flavors of red/black currants and cherries and delicious and the wine maintains a dark but fresh appeal. Lots of earthy, stony, graphite vibes, along with charcoal, earth, dried violets and oregano, with nuances of mocha and toffee woven in well. Wow, the value here is really impressive – a serious Cab for $20!