Colomé El Arenal Malbec

Calchaqui Valley, Salta

This extreme altitude single vineyard wine is a tribute to all those who dare to take the adventurous path, and do what has never been done before. This is what Donald and Ursula Hess did when they planted El Arenal, their first vineyard, at an incredible 2600 meters above sea level in the Alto Calchaqui Valley. Sustainably farmed grapes and the magic of El Arenal produce an incredibly sophisticated tannin structure, and result in a supreme balance of fruit, freshness, power, complexity and elegance that only this extreme altitude has to offer. El Arenal Single Vineyard is the culmination of the dedication, patience, and untamable spirit of innovation of Bodega Colomé.

Tasting Notes

Very deep color, almost black, with purple reflections. Elegant and complex nose: black fruit (blackberry, cherry), spicy (white pepper) and floral (violet) and mineral notes. Well integrated toasting of the barrels. On the palate it is very fruity, vibrant and concentrated, with a good structure and firm tannins.

The El Arenal vineyard is planted t an incredible 2600 meters above sea level in the Alto Calchaqui Valley. Its name literally means sand, which is true to its rugged terroir, where grapes are stressed by intense sun and by cool nights. Sustainably farmed grapes and the magic of El Arenal produce an incredibly sophisticated tannin structure, and result in a supreme balance of fruit, freshness, power, complexity and elegance that only this extreme altitude has to offer.

Ageing: 12 months in French Oak Barrels, 6 months in bottle
Winemaker: Thibaut Delmotte

Vineyards: El Arenal, Payogasta, Calchaqui Valley
Altitude: 2600 meters
Harvest: March 2020

Variety: 100% Malbec
Alcohol: 14.5%
pH: 3.7
Acidity: 5.8 g/l
Sugar: 2.0 g/l Production: 7200 bottles

This extreme altitude single vineyard wine is a tribute to all those who dare to take the adventurous path, and do what has never been done before. This is what Donald and Ursula Hess did when they planted El Arenal, their first vineyard, at an incredible 2600 meters above sea level in the Alto Calchaqui Valley. Sustainably farmed grapes and the magic of El Arenal produce an incredibly sophisticated tannin structure, and result in a supreme balance of fruit, freshness, power, complexity and elegance that only this extreme altitude has to offer. El Arenal Single Vineyard is the culmination of the dedication, patience, and untamable spirit of innovation of Bodega Colomé.

Tasting Notes

Very deep color, almost black, with purple reflections. Elegant and complex nose: black fruit (blackberry, cherry), spicy (white pepper) and floral (violet) and mineral notes. Well integrated toasting of the barrels. On the palate it is very fruity, vibrant and concentrated, with a good structure and firm tannins.

The El Arenal vineyard is planted t an incredible 2600 meters above sea level in the Alto Calchaqui Valley. Its name literally means sand, which is true to its rugged terroir, where grapes are stressed by intense sun and by cool nights. Sustainably farmed grapes and the magic of El Arenal produce an incredibly sophisticated tannin structure, and result in a supreme balance of fruit, freshness, power, complexity and elegance that only this extreme altitude has to offer.

Ageing: 12 months in French Oak Barrels, 6 months in bottle
Winemaker: Thibaut Delmotte

Vineyards: El Arenal, Payogasta, Calchaqui Valley
Altitude: 2600 meters

Variety: 100% Malbec
Alcohol: 14.5%
pH: 3.7
Acidity: 5.8 g/l
Sugar: 2.0 g/l Production: 7200 bottles

  • 20231201

    93

    points

    New Wine Review, December 2023

    "Raven black at the core then almost neon magenta at the rim, this wine is equally wow-ing on the nose with its exuberantly ripe boysenberries and cassis inflected with crushed graphite and drying flowers. The fruit purity is head-turning. The intense flavors are concentrated but not heavy. In fact, there’s only the lightest touch of glycerol on this full-bodied wine. This is an impressive feat with the high–though well-integrated–alcohol. The solid, minerally finish pops with lifting acidity. This is seamless and already drinking very well. Post-tasting: This is the second vintage of this wine, which was previously blended into the Estate Malbec bottling."

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  • 20230701

    90

    points

    Wine Enthusiast, July 2023

    "This wine comes from Payogasta in the Calchaquí Valleys, at 8,530 feet. Grapes at this altitude endure intense sunlight and diurnal temperature variation. Dried cherry, strawberry jam and hints of chalk fill the nose of this Malbec. A good structure holds plum, blackberry and strawberry. It finishes with smoke and herbaceous notes"

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  • 20221130

    92+

    points

    Wine Advocate, November 2022

    "El Arenal is a 45-hectare vineyard in the same district as their Altura Maxima Vineyard in the Payogasta zone of Salta, where the vineyards are located at some 2,600 meters in altitude on sandy soils of granitic origin. The 2020 El Arenal Malbec was produced with grapes from 17-year-old vines fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in French barriques, 30% of them new, for 15 months. The wine is very intense and has absorbed the oak nicely. It has a lot of color and aromas, but it's balanced and harmonious, not exuberant or exotic. It has a medium to full-bodied palate with some fine-grained tannins. 10,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2021."

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  • 20220609

    94

    points

    Tim Atkin, June 2022

    "This is only the second vintage of a stand-alone Malbec from the El Arenal vineyard at 2,600 metres, which has superseded its role as a mere blending partner at Colomé. Savoury, sappy and grippy, with sinewy tannins, rosemary and lavender aromas and a fresh, well-balanced finish. 2023-32"

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  • 20220331

    92

    points

    James Suckling, March 2022

    "Herbal black cherries and violets with hedgerow, iodine and dark spices. Dense and full-bodied with broad tannins. Needs some time to open up. Best from 2023."

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TRADE & MEDIA ASSETS /////////////////

2020 Colomé El Arenal Malbec – 90 points, Wine Enthusiast – Sell Sheet

2020 Colomé El Arenal Malbec – 90 points, Wine Enthusiast – Shelftalker

2020 Colomé El Arenal Malbec – 92+ points, Wine Advocate – Sell Sheet

2020 Colomé El Arenal Malbec – 92+ points, Wine Advocate – Shelftalker

2020 Colomé El Arenal Malbec – 94 points, Tim Atkin – Sell Sheet

2020 Colomé El Arenal Malbec – 94 points, Tim Atkin – Shelftalker

2020 Colomé El Arenal Malbec – 92 points, James Suckling – Shelftalker

2020 Colomé El Arenal Malbec – 92 points, James Suckling – Sell Sheet

2019 Colomé El Arenal Malbec – Tasting Notes

Colomé – Wine Advocate 2022 Reviews – Sales Sheet

2020 Colomé El Arenal Malbec – 92 points, Wine Advocate – Sales Sheet

2020 Colomé El Arenal Malbec – Tasting Notes

Colomé El Arenal Malbec – Non-Vintage – Label

Colomé El Arenal Malbec – Non-Vintage – Bottle