Description
High up in the Andes, in Argentina’s north, you’ll find Bodega Colome in the Salta province. At 180 years old, it’s the oldest winery in Argentina, and you will even find malbec cuttings brought from Bordeaux by the founders daughter still produce at 160 years of age.
Colome is located hours away from any other vineyards. The vineyard is, in fact, so remote that they generate their own electricity via water turbines, charged with water from Andes snowmelt. Three vineyards set Colome apart from the rest of Salta: Estate vineyards (2400m), El Arenal (2700m) and Altura Maxima (3100m and the highest in the world). Extreme elevation yield intense aromatics and colours, fruit driven wines but with a savoury house style and acid to boot due to the exposure and cold nights.
About this wine from the winery: “Colomé “Auténtico” is a tribute to our pioneers who planted the vineyards and opened the winery in 1831. Since then, the vineyards at Bodega Colomé have been grown with sustainable farming practices to achieve the “authentic” expression of the terroir. Higher altitudes offer more sun, less UV protection and produce a thicker skinned grape that delivers a more robust taste with fresh acidity to support it. We believe the natural expression of the soil is captured in our wines.
Harvested from our best vineyard located at 2300 metres, “Auténtico” is produced in the old winemaking style – ancient techniques such as pigeage (punch down) and no oak influence to retain freshness and purity of fruit. Aged 10 months in tank and concrete egg, 10 months in bottle.
100% Malbec. 14.5 % alc.
94 points, James Suckling “This dark-fruited red has smoky and salty undertones to the black-plum, black-olive and clove aromas. It’s full-bodied and concentrated, with deliciously spicy and salty character and berry-soaked tannins. Deep and compact.”
94 points, Tim Aitkin “Auténtico sees no wood at all and is something of a homage to Colomé’s previous owner, Raúl Dávalos Senior, who hated oak-aged wines. Sappy and refreshing, it’s a bright, energetic, concrete-fermented style with wild thyme, plum, bramble and red berry flavours and a frame of savoury tannins.
92 points, Vinous Media “Intense purple, its aromas reveal blackberry, a hint of chili pepper and a sharp balsamic touch with notable intensity and slight reduction. Indulgent and broad with plush textures and fine tannins, it offers pure flavors and remarkable palate intensity. The northern sun has made this long, powerful and full of flavor.”
91 points, Jeb Dunnuck “The 2023 Malbec Colome Autentico is a brawny, full-bodied wine with good acidity and floral characteristics marked by its sophisticated structure and length. From the depths of Salta, it shows tremendous concentration and age-worthiness; cellar through 2037.”
Our Special Price $89.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine
