This is a rare gem, offering an unparalleled taste of Argentina's Carignan grape, a varietal not often found in the US market. Sourced from 80-year-old vines in the Gustavo André district, this wine boasts a light garnet hue and exudes enticing aromas of ripe red fruits, black minerals, and subtle spice. On the palate, it delivers a bright, elegant medley of flavors, culminating in a long, satisfying finish. Mariana Onofri's expertise shines through in every sip. This limited-edition wine, with its organic origins and eco-conscious production, embodies the soulful connection between the land, the winemakers, and the enthusiasts it delights.
"Carignan (pronounced kare-rin-yen): If you love the lighter-styled wines of Zinfandel, Merlot or perhaps a Côtes du Rhône blend, then Carignan should be on your radar. Since Carignan vines are naturally so productive, you’ll notice that the best Carignan wines tends to come from old vines (vieilles vignes) where the productivity of this grape is low. Wines will burst with fruit and taste rich and smooth with much lighter tannins (bitterness) than Cabernet. -Wine Folly"
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
Light garnet in color. Aromas of dark and ripe red fruit with a black mineral nuances
and spice. Medium- bodied wine, brightly-fruited, resonant and elegant with a long finish.
Ratings
91 James Suckling - 91 Tim Atkin
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. Wide temperature range between day and night.
ALTITUDE: This vineyard is located 560 meters above sea level, 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: 80-year-old vines planted on French rootstock with traditional irrigation by flood.
Re-grafted with Carignan in 2018.
Production Notes
Carignan was harvested in two different moments to create complexity through the
expression of the fruit picked at different moments. Alcoholic fermentation happened in a concrete
tank. at low temperature with native Yeasts. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation. 20% whole clusters.
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.
;)
;)
;)
