Bodega Colome Estate Malbec 2022

Bodega Colome Estate Malbec 2022

 

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Bodega Colome
Estate Malbec 2022
  • Vintage : 2022
  • Country : Argentina
  • Region : Salta
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Deep Full Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14,5°
  • 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
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.

Bodega Colome Autentico Malbec 2022
Bodega Colome Autentico Malbec 2022
Bodega Colome
Autentico Malbec 2022
WE
91
DCT
91
VN
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 2024
Bodega Colome Estate Torrontes 2024
Bodega Colome
Estate Torrontes 2024
WS
90
RP
90
JS
92
A luminous expression of Argentina’s flagship white grape, grown at altitude for unmatched aromatic purity and freshness.
18,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Bodega Colome Altura Maxima Malbec 2019
Bodega Colome Altura Maxima Malbec 2019
Bodega Colome
Altura Maxima Malbec 2019
VN
91
JS
93
WS
92
A bold and majestic expression of Malbec at its loftiest limit, sourced from one of the highest vineyards on earth at 3,111 metres above sea level.
139,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Bodega Colome Single Vineyard El Arenal Malbec 2021
Bodega Colome Single Vineyard El Arenal Malbec 2021
Bodega Colome
Single Vineyard El Arenal Malbec 2021
RP
93
Born from extreme viticulture at 2,600 metres, this wine reflects the pioneering spirit of Bodega Colomé and the rugged purity of the Calchaquí Valley.
46,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Bodega Colome Coffret Découverte Colome 2025
Bodega Colome Coffret Découverte Colome 2025
Bodega Colome
Coffret Découverte Colome 2025
A curated journey through Bodega Colomé’s emblematic vineyards, this mixed case showcases the estate’s mastery of Malbec and its finesse with unique varietals grown at the edge of viticultural possibility.
169,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
23,90 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
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