Alma Gemela Amber is a unique and captivating choice, and a fascinating experience for wine enthusiasts. Crafted by the talented Mariana Onofri, this exemplary product of traditional winemaking techniques, beckons exploration. Its light orange hue hints at the rich flavors within, offering delicate notes of honey, orange peel, and apricot on the nose. The palate reveals a delightful interplay of dried apricots, spiced apples, fruit cake, tangerine peel, and cloves. The wine's dry character, enhanced by noticeable tannin astringency, is a testament to the extended skin contact post-fermentation, lasting six months. This Amber wine finishes memorably, leaving a lasting impression. Ideal for dessert pairings like cake, fruit pie, or cheesecake, this wine beckons to be savored. Produced in limited quantities, Alma Gemela Amber 2022 is a true testament to Mariana's winemaking prowess and the soulful connection between Mariana Onofri and Adan Giangiulio.
Alma Gemela translates to 'soul mate' and that perfectly describes the relationship of Mariana Onofri and Adan Giangiulio. We have been so blessed to have Mariana as one of our main guides through new vineyard ownership and our winemaking adventure. From the first day, she has offered her advice and been instrumental in the blending of all our wines. We knew she had a way with wine, but what we didn't know is that she was making over 20 of her own wines! After sharing Adan's amazing asado and tasting almost all these outstanding wines, we reluctantly narrowed it down to our top four- a few that will be imported into the US for first time ever.
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
This Amber wine is light orange in color. On the nose there are notes of honey, orange
peel and apricot. Dry with noticeable tannin astringency. Skin contact aims to increase the extraction of
aroma and phenolic compounds from the skins to optimize the tannin structure, texture and mouth-feel
and add ‘savory’ complexity. Long memorable finish. James Suckling- Copper-orange color with aromas of dried apricots, spiced apples, fruit cake, tangerine peel and cloves. Firm and full-bodied, with spicy layers underpinned by fine and present tannins. Drink now.
Ratings
91- James Suckling
Vineyard Notes
The vineyard is geographically located in the northern oasis of Mendoza, 65 kilometers from the capital
of Mendoza, in the Gustavo André district, Lavalle Department.
Lavalle has a very low population density and little rainfall, which is the reason why these lands are
known as the “Mendoza desert”, a place of refuge for the Huarpes.
It is a vineyard where environmental conditions and ecology is respected, prioritizing organic soil
management. We farm land for the future, understanding it is a complex and living resource that must
be protected and maintained to ensure its long-term stability.
We only fertilize with organic fertilizers and natural materials that do not harm the balance of the
environment. Weeds are specially treated and controlled manually, never with herbicides. We also have
sheep to control herbs and weeds, and also to make our own compost. We manage diseases through
biological control and prevention.
CLIMATE: The climate in Ing. Gustavo André is desert-like. Extreme temperatures and an average rainfall
of approximately 177 mm (7in). Wide temperature range between day and night.
ALTITUDE: This vineyard is located 560 meters above sea level (1837 feet), almost at the end of the Mendoza River
basin.
SOIL: Alluvial origin - very deep sandy loam soil resulting from the deposit of fine sediments such as
mainly sand, some silt and clay. The characteristics of the soil create conditions that favor the wide
temperature range, since it has the same effect of the sand temperature in the desert.
TRAINING SYSTEM: 30-year-old parral planted on French rootstock with traditional irrigation by flood.
Re-grafted with Roussanne in 2018.
Production Notes
Amber or ‘orange’ wines are wines made from white grapes using techniques
traditionally used for red winemaking. This involves fermentation on skins, seeds and in this case 20%
stems. Fermented and stayed with extended skin contact post-fermentation for 6 months.
Winemaker Notes
Winemaker: Maríana Onofri, owner and winemaker of this small scale project, was one of the first certified sommeliers in Argentina. Mariana began her influential wine career as Sommelier at the famed La Bourgogne restaurant in Mendoza and Uruguay. She also did winemaking internships in Napa and France, including at Château La Violette in Pomerol, Bordeaux.
Mariana started with The Vines of Mendoza in 2007 as Tasting Room Manager and soon became Wine Director. Today, as Wine Director, she leads a team that guides private vineyard owners through their winemaking adventure, including customizing style and varietals, blending sessions and wine education.
Her brand Onofri Wines has grown to acclaim in Argentina and around the world.
The name of this Alma Gemela line, which means soulmate in English, was romantically selected to honor her life partner and husband, Adan. Together, they passionately believe in "the revival of the grape will lead to the revival of the region". They actively work to save little know varietals of the region and currently produce around 20 different wines each year.
Other Notes
SUSTAINABILITY: All wines made from this estate are organically managed and we only use supplies with
low environmental impact, Eco - light bottles and recyclable stoppers made from sugar cane with zero
carbon footprint. All bottles are hand-labeled. All labor is from local citizens.
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