Bodega Colome Altura Maxima Malbec 2018

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

Bodega Colomé Altura Máxima Malbec is a remarkable wine produced from one of the highest vineyards in the world, showcasing the extreme terroir of the Altura Máxima vineyard in Argentina's Salta region.

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
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Bodega Colomé is located in the Salta region, specifically in the Calchaquí Valley. This area is renowned for its unique high-altitude vineyards, which significantly influence the character of the wines. The Altura Máxima vineyard, where this Malbec is cultivated, is situated at an astounding altitude of 3,111 meters above sea level.

The extreme altitude contributes to intense sunlight, large diurnal temperature variations, and a longer growing season, all of which help to produce grapes with exceptional concentration, vibrant acidity, and robust flavors.

Winemaking

The Bodega Colomé Altura Máxima Malbec is crafted with meticulous attention to detail. The grapes are harvested by hand to ensure optimal quality and are then carefully sorted to select only the best fruit. The winemaking process includes a cold maceration to extract color and aroma, followed by fermentation in small stainless steel tanks to maintain purity of fruit.

The wine is then aged for 24 months in French oak barrels, which adds complexity and structure while preserving the distinctive characteristics of the high-altitude Malbec.

Did You Know?

The Altura Máxima vineyard is not only one of the highest in the world, but it is also a testament to Bodega Colomé's dedication to pushing the boundaries of viticulture. The vineyard's altitude and unique terroir create a challenging environment for grape growing, yet it results in wines of unparalleled intensity and character.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Deep, opaque purple with violet hues.
  • Aroma: The nose is complex and layered, featuring aromas of dark fruits such as blackberry and plum, complemented by floral notes of violet, hints of minerality, and subtle spices from oak aging.
  • Palate: On the palate, this wine is full-bodied and rich, with a perfect balance of ripe tannins and vibrant acidity. Flavors of black cherry, blueberry, and cassis are interwoven with notes of chocolate, coffee, and a touch of graphite, leading to a long and elegant finish.

Wine Pairing Ideas

The Bodega Colomé Altura Máxima Malbec pairs beautifully with robust and flavorful dishes:

  • Grilled Meats: The wine's bold structure and rich flavors complement grilled lamb chops, ribeye steak, or beef tenderloin.
  • Hearty Stews: Try pairing with a rich beef stew or a traditional Argentine asado for a delightful culinary experience.
  • Aged Cheeses: The wine's complexity and depth make it an excellent match for aged cheeses such as Manchego, Gouda, or a well-aged Cheddar.

History of Bodega Colomé

Bodega Colomé, founded in 1831, is one of the oldest working wineries in Argentina. The estate is located in the remote and rugged Calchaquí Valley in the Salta province, known for its extreme altitude and dramatic landscapes. Colomé's vineyards are situated between 2,300 and 3,111 meters above sea level, making them some of the highest vineyards in the world.

The winery's long history began with its establishment by the Spanish governor of Salta, Nicolás Severo de Isasmendi y Echalar. In 1854, his daughter, Ascensión, married José Benjamín Dávalos and brought the first French pre-phylloxera Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon vines to Colomé.

In 1998, Donald Hess embarked on a journey to find the best wines of South America. His quest led him to the Northern Argentinian province of Salta, where he was inspired by the brilliant sunlight and excellent terroir, sparking his vision to pioneer a new category called ‘high altitude’ wines. Under the ownership of the Hess Family Wine Estates, Colomé has grown into a beacon of high-quality Argentine wine production, focusing on sustainable farming and minimal intervention winemaking practices.

Region and Vineyards

Bodega Colomé is located in the Calchaquí Valley, a region characterized by its high altitude, intense sunlight, and large diurnal temperature variations. These conditions contribute to the development of grapes with thick skins, concentrated flavors, and balanced acidity.

The vineyards of Colomé span across four distinct sites:

  • La Brava Vineyard - Situated at 1,750 meters, it features sandy soils with more rocks, producing delicate red fruit with soft tannins.
  • Colomé Estate Vineyard - Located at 2,300 meters, it boasts the oldest continuously producing vines in Argentina, offering complex aromas and flavors of both black and red fruits, along with spices.
  • El Arenal Vineyard - At 2,600 meters, the soil bestows the fruit with more concentrated flavors and aromas, resulting in deep red wines.
  • Altura Máxima Vineyard - The highest vineyard at 3,111 meters, known for producing intensely flavored wines with floral notes and delicate tannins.

These diverse vineyard sites enable Bodega Colomé to produce a range of wines that capture the essence of their high-altitude terroirs.

Wine Range

Bodega Colomé produces a variety of wines that highlight the unique characteristics of their high-altitude vineyards. Their portfolio includes:

  • Colomé Estate Malbec: A flagship wine known for its depth, complexity, and aging potential.
  • Colomé Estate Torrontés: A vibrant and aromatic white wine that showcases the best of the indigenous Torrontés grape.
  • Colomé Auténtico Malbec: An old-vine Malbec made without oak influence to express pure fruit and terroir.
  • Colomé Altura Máxima Malbec: A high-altitude Malbec from the world's highest vineyard, offering exceptional intensity and minerality.
  • Colomé El Arenal Malbec: A tribute to the pioneering spirit of Bodega Colomé, produced from a vineyard at 2,600 meters.
  • Colomé 1831 Malbec: A wine crafted from vines planted in 1831, exclusive and elaborated from more than 100-year-old vines.

Sustainable Practices

At Bodega Colomé, sustainable farming practices are integral to their philosophy. The protection and conservation of natural resources are essential, and the winery relies on biological fertilizers and fosters biodiversity rather than using herbicides. This commitment to sustainability ensures that the soils and vines remain healthy, and the community participates harmoniously in this ecosystem.

Did you know?

Did you know? The Altura Máxima Vineyard at Bodega Colomé is recognized as the highest vineyard in the world, sitting at an astonishing altitude of 3,111 meters above sea level. This extreme altitude contributes to the unique flavor profile and exceptional quality of the wines produced from this site.

Wine Tourism

Bodega Colomé is not only a winery but also a destination for wine and nature enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy farm-to-table meals sourced from the estate’s sustainable gardens and stay at the boutique Estancia Colomé hotel, which offers nine spacious rooms surrounded by lavender gardens and vineyards. The estate also features the James Turrell Museum, showcasing works by the renowned American artist, making it a unique cultural experience.

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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