2023 La Brava Malbec, Bodega Colomé Lote Especial

• Style: Refined mountain Malbec, soft tannins
• Taste: Ripe red fruit, floral lift, savoury spice, fresh
• Food: BBQ & grilled dishes, beef, stews, lamb, pork
• Occasion: Weeknight or Sunday lunch
• Serve: 14.5% ABV, 1,700m altitude Calchaquí Valley

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Ripe red fruit meets floral lift with savoury spice and lingering intensity. This is refined rather than jammy—deep-hued and fresh, with round tannins that dissolve instead of grip. The sandy, rocky soils lend delicate character; indigenous-yeast fermentation and 12 months in oak (a quarter new) respect the fruit without overwhelming it. At 14.5% alcohol, precision wins over power.

The Winery — Bodega Colomé

Argentina's oldest continuously operating winery, founded in 1831, sits in the far north's Upper Calchaquí Valley where vineyards reach between 1,700 and 3,111 metres above sea level—among the world's highest. Over 300 days of annual sun, cool nights, and constant wind forge wines of remarkable balance across 140 sustainably managed hectares. The 2023 vintage was excellent across the region, with frost avoided and disease kept at bay through careful canopy work. The 'Lote Especial' series draws from special parcels; this Malbec comes from vines over 20 years old that have developed the depth the region is known for.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Soft tannins and savoury undertones make this a natural match for grilled meat and smoke. Pair with carne asada, roasted beef, empanadas, stews, braises, lamb, and pork. This is serious, sustainable winemaking in one of the world's most remarkable vineyard landscapes—equally at home on a weeknight or at Sunday lunch. Whether you're building a collection of Malbec, exploring Argentina's finest, or seeking the next addition to your Full Bodied Red Wine range, high-altitude terroir has become compelling for good reason.