Bodega Colome Estate Malbec 2021

Bodega Colome Estate Malbec 2021

 

Zoom Mouse over image to zoom
Bodega Colome
Estate Malbec 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : Argentina
  • Region : Salta
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Deep Full Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14,9°
  • Grappes : 100% Malbec

Bodega Colomé Estate Malbec is an exceptional high-altitude wine, crafted from multiple vineyards in Argentina's Calchaquí Valley. This Malbec fully expresses the complexity and diversity of the region's terroirs.

Experts Score Vintage
JS James Suckling 93 2021
WS Wine Spectator 90 2021
RP Robert Parker 91 2020
WE Wine Enthusiast 92 2018
DCT Decanter 91 2018
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 92 2017
TA Tim Atkin 93 2016
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Bodega Colomé is located in the Salta region of northwestern Argentina, specifically in the Calchaquí Valley. This area is renowned for its vineyards situated at extreme altitudes, which impart unique characteristics to the wines. The Estate Malbec is made from four distinct vineyards:

  • Colomé Vineyard (60%): Situated at 2,300 meters altitude, this vineyard surrounds the winery and adds complexity and weight to the wine.
  • El Arenal Vineyard (25%): Located at 2,600 meters, it brings elegance and freshness to the blend.
  • La Brava Vineyard (5%): At 1,700 meters, it produces intense, ripe fruit.
  • Altura Máxima Vineyard (10%): At 3,111 meters, one of the highest vineyards in the world, it imparts floral and mineral notes with fine-grained tannins.

These high altitudes offer intense sunlight exposure and reduced UV protection, resulting in thicker-skinned grapes that deliver a more robust taste with fresh acidity for balance.

Winemaking

The Bodega Colomé Estate Malbec is made from 100% Malbec. The winemaking process begins with fermentation in stainless steel tanks to preserve the purity of the fruit. The wine is then aged for 15 months in second to fifth-use French oak barrels, followed by 6 months of bottle aging before release.

Did You Know?

Bodega Colomé is one of the oldest wineries in Argentina, founded in 1831. It is renowned for producing high-quality wines from some of the highest vineyards in the world, pushing the boundaries of high-altitude viticulture.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Bright and intense.
  • Aroma: Enticing aromas of blackberries, red fruits, and exotic floral notes.
  • Palate: A full, lush entry of ripe and rich black fruit, surrounded by spiced oak notes and hints of pepper. Fresh acidity supports big, bold tannins and wonderful complexity.

Wine Pairing Ideas

The Bodega Colomé Estate 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 duck breast.
  • Hearty Stews: Try pairing with a slow-cooked beef stew or a traditional Provençal daube for a delightful culinary experience.
  • Aged Cheeses: The complexity and depth of the wine make it an excellent match for aged cheeses such as Roquefort, Comté, or 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.

James Suckling (JS) : 93 Points (2021)
A structured and juicy malbec that shows nicely baked, smoky cherries, violets, grilled spices and dried herbs. Quite succulent and vibrant on the tight, full-bodied palate. Full of fruit in the finish. Tannins are firm but digestible. Vegan. Drinkable now, but better from 2025.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 90 Points (2021)
Leads with concentrated aromas and flavors of violet and berries, with a sublayer of loam and cocoa bean. Ends with a tinge of fresh peppercorn and spices around broad tannins.

Robert Parker (RP) : 91 Points (2020)
The clean, varietal and fruit-driven 2020 Estate Malbec mixes grapes from different terroirs and altitudes where they have vineyards: 1,800, 2,300, 2,600 and 3,111 meters! The wine is ripe at 14.9% alcohol but feels very harmonious and balanced, clean and focused. It matured in French oak barrels, 10% of them new, for 15 months.  Best after 2022.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 92 Points (2018)
In this wine, a saturated dark color and potent aromas of blackberry, prune and grainy oak lead to a deeply layered palate that's lush and dense. Herbal blackberry, cassis and chocolate flavors are fully ripe, while this Malbec holds onto its packed-fruit character on a long finish with a touch of heat. Drink through 2025.

Decanter (DCT) : 91 Points (2018)
Elegant nose of pure plums, dried tomato, paprika and damson. Quite dense with well-integrated oak, ripe fine-grained tannins.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 92 Points (2017)
Bright, dark medium ruby. Lively aromas and flavors of crushed blackberry, licorice, bitter chocolate and mocha. Densely packed, fine-grained and savory, with its ripe, creamy flavors complicated by a wild gamey quality. As rich, concentrated and deep as this wine is, it's not over the top. This outstanding Malbec finishes ripely tannic and long, with compelling sweetness of fruit. (14.9% alcohol; this wine represents a blend of vineyards and altitudes in Calchaqui Valley; aged for 15 months in a mix of one- to ten-year-old French barriques). (ST) (9/2019)

Tim Atkin (TA) : 93 Points (2016)
Colomé’s estate Malbec is sourced from four different sites - La Brava, El Arenal, Altura Máxima and Colomé itself - and is a wonderfully vibrant, youthful red with intense violet and lavender aromas, subtle vanilla spice and vivid acidity. 2019-24. Alcohol: 14.5%

Bodega Colome Autentico Malbec 2021
Bodega Colome Autentico Malbec 2021
Bodega Colome
Autentico Malbec 2021
WS
90
RP
92
JS
93
An authentic and powerful Malbec, sourced from 2,300-meter vineyards in the Calchaquí Valleys, showcasing intense fruit concentration, freshness, and a mineral backbone.
37,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Bodega Colome Estate Torrontes 2022
Bodega Colome Estate Torrontes 2022
Bodega Colome
Estate Torrontes 2022
WS
90
RP
90
JS
92
Bodega Colomé Estate Torrontés is an exquisite white wine crafted from Argentina’s flagship native white grape, Torrontés. This wine captures the unique aromatic expression and freshness that define the Torrontés varietal.
18,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Bodega Colome Altura Maxima Malbec 2018
Bodega Colome Altura Maxima Malbec 2018
Bodega Colome
Altura Maxima Malbec 2018
RP
95
W&S
93
TA
97
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.
130,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
23,90 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
We also suggest...
Argentina
92 James Suckling
Bodega Colome Estate Torrontes 2022
Bodega Colome Estate Torrontes 2022
Bodega Colomé Estate Torrontés is an exquisite white wine crafted from Argentina’s flagship native white grape, Torrontés. This wine captures the unique aromatic expression and freshness that define the Torrontés varietal.
Estate Torrontes 2022
18,90 €
Argentina
91 Wine Enthusiast
Chakana Estate Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Chakana Estate Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Chakana Estate Selection Cabernet Sauvignon is an exceptional wine from the Uco Valley in Argentina, showcasing the boldness and elegance of 100% organic Cabernet Sauvignon cultivated in high-altitude vineyards.
Estate Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
24,90 €
Argentina
94 James Suckling
Zuccardi Poligonos San Pablo Malbec 2019
Zuccardi Poligonos San Pablo Malbec 2019
Polígonos San Pablo Malbec is a high-altitude Malbec from the San Pablo region in Mendoza’s Valle de Uco, highlighting the cool, intense climate and mineral-rich soils of this Andean foothill terroir.
Poligonos San Pablo Malbec 2019
31,30 €
Argentina
93 Tim Atkin
Matias Riccitelli The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree Malbec 2021
Matias Riccitelli The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree Malbec 2021
Deep purple in colour, with beautiful aromas of wild dark fruits, vanilla and chocolate on the nose. This is a complex and rich Malbec with smooth ripe tannins and a long finish.
The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree Malbec 2021
27,90 €
USA
92 Robert Parker
Au Bon Climat Isabelle Pinot Noir 2020
Au Bon Climat Isabelle Pinot Noir 2020
Created in 1995 to honor the birth of Jim Clendenen’s daughter, this wine represents the pinnacle of Au Bon Climat’s Pinot Noir production.
Isabelle Pinot Noir 2020
85,90 €
Argentina
97 Vinous (Antonio Galloni)
Zuccardi Fosil Chardonnay 2021
Zuccardi Fosil Chardonnay 2021
Sourced from 1,400 meters at the foothills of the Andes, this 100% Chardonnay captures the freshness and complexity of Mendoza’s Valle de Uco with purity and balance.
Fosil Chardonnay 2021
65,00 €