Bodega Colome in the Calchaqui Valley, 7500 feet above sea level, was founded in 1831 and is one of the oldest existing wineries in Argentina. Since its acquisition by the Hess family in 2001 the quality of wines has skyrocketed. All the vineyards are farmed biodynamically and yields are kept low. Winemaking is state-of-the-art with an emphasis on grape expression as is clear in this Estate Malbec. 100% Malbec, grapes are from four different vineyards with the Colome VIneyard as the backbone. The vineyards sourced lie at altitudes from 5500 to 8500 feet above sea level. At these altitudes the grape skins thicken to protect from UV rays intensifying color and flavor in the grapes. The wine was aged 15 months in French oak barrels.
James Suckling scored this 92 points saying "Brimming with blueberry, violet and bitter chocolate notes, this is an extravagant yet very fresh and well-structured expression of Salta malbec. If you can give it until 2020, then the bold, dry tannins will soften and may make it more elegant."
The Wine Advocate scored this 91 points saying "The 2016 Malbec Estate is a blend of grapes from their four terroirs at 1,750, 2,300, 2,700 and 3,111 meters in altitude. It fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured for 18 months in French oak barrels, 10% of them new. All Salta wines have intensity and ripeness, and this is no exception. But the challenge is to find elegance and balance, which this one does nicely within its XL style. It is dark and heady yet harmonious."
