Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Swiss billionaire Thomas Schmidheiny launched this estate in 2000, settling on a barren plateau in Agrelo at 3,500 feet altitude. The winds here skate across the soil—a mix of alluvial deposits and sandy loam over gravel—whipping up small remolinos, little whirlwinds of dust. The winery claims these remolinos are critical to the quality of their wines, keeping the grapevines dry and free from disease after it rains. Credit also goes to Tomás Hughes, a Mendoza native who joined the winery as winemaker in 2014 after stints at Achaval Ferrer in the Uco Valley and with Daniel Pi at Trapiche. In 2017, Hughes turned out a floral, fresh malbec that sings with clarity. Lush with plummy flavors, it feels supple and energetic, the bright acidity impelling the wine forward. It stays lively and lifted, lasting on scents of wildflowers, herbs and fresh purple fruit.
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James Suckling
A quite complex nose with good purity of redder toned fruit, as well as earthy nuances. The palate has a long, lithe and succulent feel with fresh red-berry flavors, as well as plums to close.
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Wine Enthusiast
Jammy blackberry and cassis aromas are ripe and include an exotic note of cardamom. A healthy palate is structured in layers, while the acidity on this Malbec registers on the low side, which brings richness to the fore. Flavors of blackberry, dark plum, baking spices and chocolate are steady on a focused finish. Drink through 2026. Vintus LLC.
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Wine Spectator
A rich red, with a plush array of dark plum and cherry tart flavors that are creamy and richly spiced. The open-textured finish shows plenty of savoriness, accented by dark chocolate hints. Drink now through 2023. 19,000 cases imported.
The estate has followed an 'amano,' or 'by hand,' approach that is sensitive to natural differences, sustainable, and human. Their philosophy is to tread lightly in an environment they have come to know intimately, almost inch-by-inch, and allow the unique natural attributes of the Remolinos vineyard and of Agrelo shine to through in the wines. The vineyard at the estate is named "Remolinos" after the tiny whirlwinds in the area that thread their way along the vines, keeping the grapes dry and in perfect condition. The 110 hectare estate was planted in 2000 to Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot (unusual for Argentine producers) and Tannat. All the Decero wines come from this single vineyard, all from hand-picked fruit.
Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.