2023 El Arenal Malbec, Bodega Colomé El Arenal

• Style: Full-bodied, mountain-grown Malbec
• Taste: Blackberry depth, white pepper snap, mineral backbone, firm structure
• Food: BBQ & grilled dishes; beef & steak; lamb; pork; stews & braises
• Occasion: Date night; gifting; cellar worthy
• Serve: 16–18°C, decant 30 mins, drink 2024–2035

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

At 2,600 metres above sea level, thin air and relentless ultraviolet exposure force the vine into concentrated ripeness. The 2023 vintage delivers a deep, near-black liquid that moves with purpose: blackberry and dark cherry drive hard against white pepper and mineral spine. Twenty-five days of maceration built depth; a year in French oak (first and fourth use) integrated the tannins rather than masking the fruit. The structure is firm but never rough, acidity cuts cleanly, and the overall effect is concentration without heaviness—a full-bodied red that respects balance even at its most intense.

The Winery — Bodega Colomé

Founded in 1831, this remains Argentina's oldest working winery, planted originally with pre-phylloxera Malbec vines that still fruit today. The El Arenal vineyard sits at 2,600 metres and was Donald Hess's first planting here. Its name—meaning sand—speaks directly to those deep, sandy soils that give the wine its particular minerality and freshness. The winery operates 140 hectares sustainably across altitudes from 1,700 to 3,111 metres, where cool spring weather in 2023 locked in freshness even as March heat pushed ripeness forward.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This is carne asada wine, or roasted beef, or the kind of assertive food that asks for a red that doesn't flinch. Pair with BBQ and grilled dishes, stews and braises, beef and steak, lamb, or pork. The acidity cuts cleanly, alcohol sits at a measured 14.5%, and the wine respects balance at every turn. Serve at 16–18°C after a 30-minute decant; cellaring rewards patience through 2035. The 2023 harvested praise across the board—96 points from both Patricio Tapia and Tim Atkin, 94 from James Suckling. If you're building a selection, this sits among the finest examples we've found; it's also a door into full-bodied red wine and Argentina's high-altitude promise. Vegan and organic certified.