Gen de Alma Red Wine Gene 2019

red cherry, fresh blackberry, black tea, and dried herbs

When it comes to the wines from Argentina, so much of what we see in America is a homogenous wave of Malbec. Our feature this week comes from a winery founded by winemaker Matias Prieto, to emphasize a “lighter side” of Argentine red wines, as well as a dynamite Chenin Blanc that we featured back in March name “Ji-Ji-Ji”.

The “Gene,” like many of the red wines produced at Gen del Alma, is a blend of numerous French varieties. At first glance, this wine seems to have a lot in common with other wines from Mendoza, being composed of mostly Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. However, Matias uses low intervention, minimal extraction, and an emphasis on terroir and elevation to leave a mark on this wine, and the result is a lighter-bodied red that would feel right at home in the cooler climates of France’s Loire Valley. Matias ferments using concrete vats, though he prefers to age his wines in used oak barriques, and after 8 months in barrel this wine is bottled unfiltered.

When you open this wine, you will want to decant for up to half an hour. In addition, this wine will benefit from a slight chill, though not quite as cold as the Weon Carignan, about 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Once this wine has a little time to open up it delivers notes of red cherry, fresh blackberry, black tea, and dried herbs. Drink now through 2027 with braised short ribs, scalloped potatoes, or lamb burgers.