Kolor, a Unique Wine that Blends Urban Art with Winemaking Excellence

The bottle itself it quite striking. An explosion of colored prisms decorates both the base and the capsule around the neck of the bottle. Its name is also significant: Kolor. Kolor 2020, a unique wine that's the perfect collaboration between one of the most down-to-earth winemakers in the world and one of the best contemporary artists, both of which are Spanish.

Raúl Pérez (Valtuille de Abajo, Leon, 1972), twice voted best winemaker in the world, among many other awards. He has a unique way of understanding wine: the priority is not the winery but, rather, the vines.

Okuda San Miguel (Santander, 1980) is the artist who put Spanish street art on the international map. His unique iconographic language, comprising geometric structures and multicolored patterns, have made him one of the most recognized artists in the world.

Kolor's first vintage, Kolor 2019, was released in 2022. It's made from Mencía grapes, from vineyards that are 50+ years old, in the village of Valtuille de Abajo. Whole cluster fermentation in large oak vats. Macerations of between two and five months. Ageing in oak barrels for 12 months. Bottled without clarification or filtration.

Rated by Robert Parker

Kolor 2019 caught the eye of wine critic Robert Parker, who awarded it 92 points. The entire first vintage (21,153 bottles) was sold in Germany, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, USA, Spain, France, Holland, Norway, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Portugal, Sweden and South Korea.

The new vintage received 93 points from Parker. On the nose, it has notes of violet and fresh aromas of marked mineralization. A hint of cappuccino is present, with a long development of different nuances. The palate has a roundness typical of clay soils, well-integrated acidity, and good structure. Kolor is an exuberant wine with a lot of volume; it is very smooth and appetizing.

The association between wine, spirits, and art in Spain has a longstanding tradition. In 1964, Osborne commissioned Salvador Dalí to design a bottle and label for its Conde de Osborne Gran Reserva brandy. More recently, the Arrayán winery (in Toledo) chose the painter Eduardo Arroyo, known for his pop art designs, to create the label for all of its wines. Another important collaboration involves the painter Miquel Barceló, who designs the labels for Mallorcan winery Ànima Negra.