Winemaker Notes
The 2018 Bodega Colome Autentico Malbec is of intense color and full of aromas such as cherries, blackberries, figs, cassis and cloves, with elegant spices and mineral notes. Mouth is crispy and robust with a high concentration of ripe and round tannins, that express the terroir in an authentic and genuine way.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The raw and primary 2018 Auténtico Malbec shows the wilderness of the northern vineyards, dark, concentrated, juicy and full of wild herbs, flower and berry aromas, really showy and impressive. This is a pure expression of the grape following the Dávalos (previous owners of Colomé) tradition of unoaked wines. This matured in tank for ten months and a further ten months in bottle. I love this wine.
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James Suckling
Very youthful and attractively raw fresh-fruit presence in the plum and blackberry zone. The palate has a very rich, concentrated feel with lithe, succulent tannins, carrying long and fresh.
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Wine Enthusiast
A deeply saturated black-meets-purple color and cool aromas of herbal blackberry, cola and minerals open this lush Malbec from Salta. A sappy palate is dense and full bodied, while this tastes of wild berry, cassis and balsamic reduction. A thick and sappy finish is fitting even though this sees no oak.
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Wine Spectator
Offers a fine-grained texture, with precise red fruit and spice flavors that are well-structured and pure-tasting. The minerally finish features some peppery notes and plenty of verve. Drink now through 2025.
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.