Bodega Colome Altura Maxima Malbec 2013
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Robert
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
I was really looking forward to tasting the 2013 Altura Máxima Malbec, as I was blown away by the inaugural 2012, previewed this 2013 one month before bottling and I hadn't had the chance to encounter the wine since my visit to the vineyard some 16 months ago. 2013 was slightly a wetter year (210 liters versus the average 125) and the temperatures were milder, so it provided for fruit-driven wines with good acidity and firm tannin. The nose is so spicy and meaty that the best word to describe the first impression is like going into a "salumeria" in Italy, the shops where they sell their delicious "salames." Smelling it just made me hungry, with plenty of savory notes that reminded me of concentrated yeast extract (Marmite or Bovril), terribly spicy and pungent. The vines were planted in 2007, and in 2013 they harvested the grapes slightly earlier than in 2012. The yields are naturally low, as the vines are still finding their balance. The vinification is soft but long, and so is the élevage, extended to two years in well-seasoned neutral barriques. This is really rich and heady, developing layers and layers of aromas and especially a superb texture and a tactile sensation that reminded me of velvet. Floral, with plenty of wild herbs that transported me to the place, this is one of the most distinct and unique Malbecs from Argentina. The Malbec that dreams are made of! I cannot even think what this wine could be like when the vines mature... 6,900 bottles were filled in August 2015 after two years in fourth use French oak barriques.
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine's dark, opaque color and jammy, sun-baked aromas are typical of Salta's best Malbecs. It's a saturated, hefty and intense red from some of the highest vineyards in the world, yet it's neither fiery nor aggressive. Its lush, fully developed flavor profile includes cassis, blackberry and chocolate notes that persist into the finish. Drink through 2024.
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2015-
Robert
Parker -
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Wine
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Robert
Parker
Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
The Salta region in northern Argentina is home to world’s highest vineyards. Near the town of Payogasta, the Colomé Altura Máxima vineyard is planted at 10,206 feet in elevation.
Salta is part of the Calchaquí Valley, which benefits from more than 300 days of sun per year, subjecting its vines to considerable ultraviolet radiation. The valley experiences strong high altitude winds, even in the “lower” vineyards, which are planted at 5,413 feet. Because of these elevations and resulting extreme conditions, vines produce lower yields and thicker-skinned grapes, resulting in concentrated, aromatic and well-structured wines.
In a truly unique region, the highly aromatic variety, Torrontes, thrives; intense sun exposure allows full ripening, while cooling winds maintain the grapes’ acidity levels and phenolic balance.
Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, Syrah, and, particularly, Tannat have the most potential among reds.
Upscale hotels, beautiful colonial architecture, a majestic Andean backdrop and impressive food and wine make the area attractive among tourists as well.
Salta is the fourth most important Argentine wine-producing region after Mendoza, San Juan, and La Rioja. Its oldest vineyards were planted in 1862.