Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Founded in 1831, Argentina's oldest winery is owner of the highest vines in the world at 3,111m above sea level. This is made from grapes grown at 1,700m, giving fresh aromas and bright floral notes mixed with citrus and spice. An absolute cracker – refreshing and vibrant, which makes it ideal as an aperitif or with Asian food.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Torrontés is sourced from 50-year-old parral vineyards that yielded 10,000 kilos per hectare from vines planted at 1,700 and 2,300 meters altitude. Some 10% of the grapes were harvested early to provide freshness. It fermented slowly with neutral bayanus yeasts for some 35 days and lots of fine lees and was bottled without malolactic in the month of June. This is perfumed and lightly floral with the Torrontés notes making an appearance in the palate, which fills the mid palate and leaves that sensation of Moscatel pulp. This has the intensity of older vines and slightly longer fermentation and combines power with great freshness. The acidity seems to compensate the faint bitterness inherent to the grape. In general, they are harvesting the white grapes earlier than before, a general tendency they also started to apply to the reds in search of more freshness. This is the best young Torrontés I've had from Colomé. Kudos to winemaker Thibaud Delmotte and his team! 144,000 bottles produced.
Unapologetically fun and distinctively fragrant, Torrontés is regarded as the signature white grape of Argentina. In many ways it bears a striking resemblance to Muscat (and in fact is an offspring of Muscat of Alexandria). Sommelier Secret—If you’re in search of a new summer sipper, look no further than Torrontés. These wines are always inexpensive, delightfully refreshing and are best enjoyed in the sunny outdoors at a picnic, poolside or on the porch.
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.