Bodega Colome Altura Maxima Malbec 2018

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Bodega Colome
Altura Maxima Malbec 2018

Vintage : 2018
Country : Argentina
Region : Salta
Subregion
Type : Red
Style Deep Full Bodied
Format : 75cl
Alcohol : 14,5°
Grappes : 100% Malbec

Passion, persistence and a ruthless determination to plant the world’s highest elevation vineyard led Donald Hess to the Salta region of Argentina to plant Malbec in an estate vineyard he named Altura Maxima – Maximum Height

Experts		Score	Vintage
RP	Robert Parker	95	2018
TA	Tim Atkin	97	2015
W&S	Wines & Spirits	93	2015
VN	Vinous (Antonio Galloni)	94	2014
WS	Wine Spectator	93	2014

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Planted in 2007 and approximately 56 planted acres in size, the Altura Maxima Vineyard sits at 10,207 ft. elevation (approximately 3,000m) and produced its inaugural vintage of Malbec in 2012. The true expression of terroir in this Malbec comes from the vineyard’s extreme altitude, the soil composition (alluvial, sandy soils with a high percentage of gravel) and the semiarid-desert climate. The vineyard receives much more sun and much less UV protection, which produces thicker skinned grapes that deliver a more robust mouthfeel supported by fresh acidity.

Vinification: After fermentation, the wine spent 24 months ageing in used French oak barrels. Only 20 barrels were produced in total. The wine then spent a further 12 months ageing in bottle before release.

Tasting Notes: Powerfully aromatic and intense, the wine is beautifully textured and full of dark black fruits, cherries, blackberries and spices.

Not only is it the oldest winery in Argentina, but also has the world’s highest vineyard. Located in the Upper Calchaquí Valleys in Salta in the far north of Argentina, the winery is thought to have been founded by the Spanish Governor of Salta, Nicolás Severo de Isasmendi y Echalar. History of Bodega Colome In 1854, his daughter Ascensión, who was married to José Benjamín Dávalos, brought the first French pre-phylloxera Malbec and Cabernet… Read more

Robert Parker (RP) : 95 Points (2018)

The super intense 2018 Altura Máxima Malbec has notes of black olives, soy sauce, decayed violets, ripe fruit and exotic spices and woods, and it feels very different from the rest of the range. This is an exceptional wine from one of the highest commercial vineyards in the world, reaching 3,111 meters above sea level. The palate is full-bodied, and the wine is very intense and ripe at 14.5% alcohol. In 2018, they harvested earlier, the equivalent to the 1st of October in the Northern Hemisphere. It's full-bodied, round, large, concentrated and powerful, exceptional and different. 8,400 bottles were filled in August 2020 after spending 24 months in used barrels.

Tim Atkin (TA) : 97 Points (2015)

Dramatic sites don’t always produce exceptional wines, but Altura Máxima most definitely does. First made in 2012, it’s a brilliantly focused, even extreme wine from a mad, high altitude vineyard, with amazing freshness and minerality, layers of dark berry fruit and skilfully handled oak. Wild and just a little untamed. 2020-30

Wines & Spirits (W&S) : 93 Points (2015)

Donald Hess planted his Altura Máxima vineyard in 2007 at a dizzying 10,207 feet above sea level. Perhaps that’s why it takes this malbec takes time to emerge from hiding, though it’s saline from start to fi nish. After two days open, its structure is broad, and though the fl avors are restrained (a smoky umeboshi plum note), the austerity called to mind a salt fl at. The tannins seem to cluster in the center of your tongue, and would be nice with char-grilled chicken thighs.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 94 Points (2014)

(14.9% alcohol; from a 2007 planting on granite and calcaire soil at an altitude of 10,200 feet): Bright dark ruby. Aromas of black cherry, licorice and salty minerality show a distinct but subtle note of roasted berries. Plush, rich and deep but not overly sweet, with its very concentrated red and darker berry flavors enlivened by brisk, high-altitude acidity and complicated by a saline quality. Delivers a lovely refined texture without any heaviness. A gripping wine of great distinction and terroir character. With 24 hours in the recorked bottle, this very dense Malbec revealed Syrah-like nuances of charcoal, game and black olive without losing its light touch. (ST)

Wine Spectator (WS) : 93 Points (2014)

Dense, ripe and powerfully fruity, with intense notes of hazelnut and spice to the dark plum, baked cherry and mulled berry flavors. Dark chocolate and espresso details linger on the powerful finish. Drink now through 2024. 500 cases made.

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