Auténtico Malbec

James Suckling, Mar/2023

2022 -

"Pure, lush blackberries, blueberries, crushed violets, dried herbs and graphite. This is so vibrant and bright and shows the innate beauty of the fruit. The juicy, medium- to full-bodied palate unleashes firm, fruit tannins. Fine-grained and long. Delicious now, but can hold, too."

Tim Atkin MW, Argentina Special Report 2023

2022 -

"Called Auténtico because it sees no wood - only stainless steel and concrete - this Malbec is arguably the purest expression of Colomé’s home vineyard at 2,300 metres. Wild, spicy, concentrated and intense, it has fig, rosemary and damson fruit, serious, layered tannins and more than enough supporting acidity."

James Suckling, Mar/2022

2021 -

"Blackberries, dark spices, oyster shells and graphite with a lift of violets. A full-bodied malbec with round, polished tannins. Very primary with plush fruit. Showing complexity without referring to oak. Vegan. Really delicious now."

Tim Atkin MW, Argentina Special Report 2022

2021 -

"Made as a tribute to Colomé’s previous owner, Raúl Dávalos, who has an aversion to oak, this unwooded Malbec uses grapes from nine parcels on the estate in Molinos. Wild, savoury and intense, with aromatic herb top notes, tobacco leaf undertones and a compact, layered, densely fruited finish. 2023-30"

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Sep/2022

2021 -

"The 2021 Malbec Autentico (from Molinos, Calchaquí Valley, Salta) is unaged and a vivid purple in hue. The intense, pure aromatic profile features plum jam, chutney, hints of spice and white pepper. In the mouth, it’s potent and full-bodied with rugged tannins and a juicy flow. This is a rewarding, primary red."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Nov/2022

2021 -

"...This unoaked wine was produced as an homage to the ancestral style of the zone (and to the winery when it belonged to the previous owner, the Dávalos family). It has the intensity and power of Salta and the vines at 2,300 meters in altitude, and it opens up nicely in the glass if you wait a bit. It has very good acidity, which makes it very balanced. Fifteen percent of the volume matured in concrete egg for 10 months and the rest in stainless steel."

Wine Spectator, Aug/2023

2021 -

"Suggestively brooding on the nose, showing molasses, toasted herb and ripe berry aromas, yet the core displays a lively mix of raspberry and plum, with generous spice and mineral details clinging to the finish around round tannins. Drink now through 2030."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Nov/2021

2020 -

"From Molinos, Calchaquí Valley, the 2020 Malbec Auténtico is unaged and presents a simple nose of ripe plum and hints of violet, gunpowder, jarilla and spices. The flavors are just as intense in the mouth with mild freshness and a juicy flow. The mild tannins lend structure before the lengthy, fruity finish. This is a high-altitude red as pure as the valley air."

Tim Atkin MW Best of Argentina Report 2021

2020 -

"A medium-to full-bodied red with aromas of stewed cherries, cassis, oyster shell and smoked meat. Firm, grainy tannins and a chalky texture with fresh acidity. Better from 2023."

James Suckling, Apr/2021

2020 -

"Dense, sappy and appealingly wild with impressive concentration, dark fruit intensity and top notes of mountain herbs. Called Auténtico because it sees no oak at all - following the precepts of previous owner Raúl Dávalos - this is fermented and aged in stainless steel and concrete eggs."

Wine Enthusiast, Nov/2022

2020 -

"This aromatic red offers blackberry and blueberry on the nose. It's full bodied and delivers juicy black-fruit flavors that linger through the long finish."

Decanter, Jul/2022

2020 -

"This aromatic red offers blackberry and blueberry on the nose. It's full bodied and delivers juicy black-fruit flavors that linger through the long finish."

Tim Atkin MW Best of Argentina Report 2020

2019 -

“High toned fruit on the nose with notes of ripe blueberry and bramble over meaty and savoury undertones. Fleshy on palate with interesting and appealing meaty character.”

Decanter World Wine Awards 2020

2019 -

"This Auténtico is from a selection of old vineyards that the winery has in the town of Colomé, planted about 2,300 meters above sea level. They decided to forgo the use of oak aging in order to fully respect the flavors and aromas that this vertiginous altitude gives in these malbecs, which were first planted in the area around 1830. This is succulent, voluptuous, and generous in black fruits and tannins that coat the palate with their strength and edge. It's intense, wild, and deep in every aspect."

Mundus Vini 2020

2019 -

"The raw and primary 2018 Autentico 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 Davalos (previous owners of Colome) tradition of unoaked wines. This matured in tank for ten months and a further ten months in bottle. I love this wine. 67,000 bottles produced."

Descorchados, 2021

2019 -

"Autentico is a wine inspired by old reds from Calchaquies, when there wasn't any oak to tone down the intensity of the region. A Malbec from the Colome vineyard, set at 2,300 meters above sea level, it's dark as a moonless night in the valley, with a nose of spice, blackberry, syrup and country herbs. Elemental, concentrated and intense, presenting a firm structure and active tannins. A bed is provided by the significant but well-integrated amount of alcohol, while the finish is sweet. Mountain-top sun in a bottle."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Oct/2020

2019 -

"This is a big, concentrated, blackstrap and purple-colored sort of wine. Full-bodied and chewy. This is a little overdone, but it shows lots of character and intensity. Give it two or three years to soften and show more complexity. Better after 2022."

James Suckling, Apr/2020

2019 -

"The dark and brooding 2019 Auténtico Malbec had to be harvested quickly because of a heat wave during the harvest. Eighty-five percent of the volume matured in stainless steel and the rest in concrete egg....plenty of notes of ripe black fruit..."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Oct/2019

2018 -

"Bright ruby. Pungent, high-toned aromas of blackberry, minerals and licorice. Thick and mouthfilling but leavened by terrific penetrating acidity. The dark berry, wild herb, licorice and chalky mineral flavors are complemented by a chocolatey ripeness. Sweet, plush tannins saturate the entire palate, with the finish displaying explosive length. Very strong, very pure and very smooth; expressive and unique. The Davalos family, owners of Bodega Tacuil, also owned Colome before selling the property to Donald Hess in 2001. (this wine, made without any oak contact, represents a tribute to the old RD bottling of Bodega Tacuil)"

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Sept/2019

2018 -

"Lifted, enticing fruits with an aerial weave that Mendoza would find hard to match. Unoaked and early bottled: pure, fresh, lifted, deep and sumptuous. Some tannins add real dignity, but not the palate weight you'll find in many ambitious wines from Mendoza. A very fine effort."

Decanter, Aug/2019

2018 -

"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. 7,500 cases made, 3,000 cases imported. From Argentina."

Wine Spectator, Nov/2019

2018 -

"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."

Decanter World Wine Awards 2018

2017 -

(from 100+-year-old vines planted at 2,300 meters; made without oak): Saturated bright ruby. Pungent, pure, primary aromas of candied blackberry, black cherry, cassis, bitter chocolate and spices; conveys a superripe, even slightly figgy hint of thick, sun-drenched skins without loss of focus. Just as backward on the palate, with its kirsch, cassis and dark chocolate flavors complicated by violet and mineral components; shows increasing creaminess and depth with time in the glass without losing its penetrating quality. Finishes with firm tongue-dusting, well-buffered tannins and slowly mounting length. Some outstanding 2016 reds were made a world away in Uco Valley, but very few of them can match this classically dry Salta wine for texture. I give this an edge over its 2015 sibling for its more obvious definition and stronger impression of acidity. I love the "rawness" of this wine and its purity and complexity."

Tim Atkin Master of Wine 2018 Report: Best of Argentina

2017 -

"Very dark in color. The nose offers up violet extract, very intense blackberry reduction and lots of creme de cassis. The palate is full-bodied but the fruit isn’t as dense as you might expect from the nose. Fresh and very well framed by a firm tannin backbone. Drink know."

James Suckling, Apr/2018

2017 -

"The one unoaked Malbec here, the 2017 Autentico Malbec pays homage to the wines of the previous owners, the Davalos family. It represents the pure ripe fruit and is juicy, raw and wild, full of berries, herbs and wild flowers. It’s juicy and floral, with soft tannins and texture. 90,000 bottles."

Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, Jun/2018

2017 -

"(from 100+-year-old vines planted at an altitude of 2,300 meters): Bright medium ruby. Deep aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, licorice and smoky, flinty minerality convey a touch of youthful reduction. Densely packed and quite primary; sweet and thick but shapely and alive. The serious, thoroughly ripe tannins spread out horizontally to saturate the tongue and palate. This very long, deep wine already boasts compelling sweetness but should be even better in another couple years. For all its texture and depth, this stunning value boasts a weightless quality."

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, Jul/2018

2017 -

"Packed with ripe fruit, with a touch of sweetness, full-bodied and bold with warming oak running throughout."

Gismondi on Wine, May/2018

2016 -

"The unoaked 2015 Autentico Malbec is a homage to the Colome of yesteryear produced by the Avalos family, the previous owners of Colome. It's sourced from old Malbec vines, fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured for some ten months in vat, including malolactic. Mr. Avalos hates oak and never allowed any barrique in his cellar, and this wine is a tribute to his work. They are also harvesting a little earlier, looking for freshness. This is juicy and floral, with good ripeness and soft tannins with a soft texture and very good balance. This is a blend of fruit from older parral vineyards and some higher altitude vines planted at El Arenal at some 2,600 meters. They have now identified which vineyards work better for this wine, which shows the naked character of the place without the possibility to use any makeup. Authentic! 48,000 bottles produced."

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, Jul/2018

2016 -

"This is loaded with vibrant raspberry and red plum flavors that are fringed by rich leafy and cedary notes. Slate and white pepper details flood the finely textured finish. Drink now through 2021. 5,350 cases made."

Wine Spectator, Dec/2017

2016 -

"Bodega Colome was founded in 1831, the oldest working winery in Argentina allowing European vines including malbec to arrive in the country long before phylloxera wiped out most of the northern hemisphere's grapevines in late 1800s. As a result, some of the world's oldest malbec vines reside in Argentina and many are at the Colome Estate Vineyard in Salta. “Autentico” is a tribute to the pioneers who planted the vines back in the 1830s and reference to the sustainable practices used in this high desert environment. The wine today is made with average 90 year-old-vines with no oak influence to allow the 100-percent malbec grown at 7,545 feet to express its unique terroir. The wine is always intense, thanks to the thick skins that protect the fruit from the endless sunshine. Cold nighttime temperatures preserve the fruit and acid and add an alluring floral note to what is a stony, mineral red, laden with pure black fruits. It’s hard not to like this wine that has dealt with a challenging vintage. It's the answer for just about any favourite beef cut."

Wine Spectator, Jun/2017

2015 -

#64 Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2016 "Fresh, rich and juicy, with lively raspberry, cherry and red plum flavors backed by fresh, crunchy acidity. Lengthens out nicely midpalate, showing mineral and pepper accents. Hints of slate and tangerine emerge on the complex finish. Drink now through 2020. 3,500 cases made."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Dec/2016

2015 -