Coloma Finca El Colmenar Edicion Limitada

Description

Coloma Finca El Colmenar is the estate’s flagship red wine. It is produced in only small quantities and is bottled as an Edicion Limitada (limited edition). This assemblage represents the utmost expression of the Coloma terroir and viticultural heritage. There were only 4860 bottles of the 2016 produced.

Bodegas Coloma is a family run wine estate located in Extremadura near the Portuguese border where the family has been making wine for over a century. Don Francisco Coloma began making wine in the late 19th century in Villanueva de los Infantes Valladolid in Castile y Leon. However it was his son, José Felix who, seeking warmer weather, moved to the region Extremadura. He eventually settled in Alvarado on the banks of the Limonetes creek, a tributary of the Guadiana River, where he planted his first vines. The wines of Extremadura are mainly drunk locally in Spain and precious little is sold for export, although this is changing. There are an abundance of undiscovered gems, like Bodegas Coloma, in the region. Coloma is regarded as one of the most modern and best producers and they grow both local Spanish as well as international grape varieties. In 1998 Coloma completely enlarged and modernised their cellars with the newest technology. Today the wine maker is Amelia Coloma who implements a program of sustainable viticulture. All grapes are harvested by hand into small plastic cases, to ensure the grapes reach the winery, a short distance away from the vineyard, in best condition.

The blend of grape varieties for the Coloma Finca El Colmenar varies from vintage to vintage, as the best performing varieties in the vineyard are chosen each vintage. The 2016 is mainly Touriga Nacional, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Syrah. It is bottled as a Vino de la Tierra Extremadura. The grapes all come from Colmenar vineyard, some of the oldest estate vines, which is located in the Ribera Baja del Guadiana sub-zone, the Westernmost part of Extremadura, where the weather conditions are less extreme due to Atlantic wind influence and slight humidity provided by Guadiana river.  The different grapes are harvested separately, sometimes at night depending on the variety, between mid-August and September. The different grape varieties are vinified separately. After a traditional vinification, the parcels of wine are aged for 12 months in , medium toasted, American oak barrels. The parcels of wine then tasted and carefully selected for the final assemblage prior to bottling. The wine is rested in bottle for 18 months prior to release.

Colmenar is the Spanish for beehive, many of which can be found in and around Bodegas Coloma’s vineyards.