Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Take note, this could be the best wine Colomé has ever bottled. Cedary oak aromas grace ripe, almost desiccated wild berry notes that are slightly herbal and sauvage. A well-layered mouthfeel is ideal in power and precision. Requisite blackberry, cassis, toast and peppery flavors finish dry and long, with little heat or burn. Drink through 2021.Editors' Choice
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James Suckling
Rich and exotic with sliced mushroom, dark fruits and earth. Full body, super fine tannins and a bright finish. So much energy. Drink now.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2010 Reserva Malbec might solve one question: if you wonder what all the fuss about Colome is, this wine might be it. It is sourced from very old vineyards planted at 2,300 meters altitude and aged for two years in new French oak and has the restraint, concentration and depth of the old vines, with the oak neatly folded into the ripe fruit. The palate is medium to full-bodied, powerful serious and deep, but disguises well its 15.9% alcohol. This is a wild, big, powerful, yet balanced wine in need of some bottle aging. Drink 2016-2024.
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.