Agrelo is recognised for red varieties and whilst it has been acknowledged for its high quality Malbec it has also become known as the source of some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon emanating from Argentina. Our three Clásicos wines are single varietal wines: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. These wines are testify to their unique site of origin, our Remolinos Vineyard.
Throughout the vineyard and the winemaking our “amano” approach is just as evident here as on each of other wines. Four steps of selection including double sorting tables, small parcel winemaking, basket pressing and a meticulous attention to quality ensure that after 14 months maturation in French oak these are wines of susbtance but each, above all, shows the hallmark elegance of our Remolinos Vineyard.
Downloads
Film
2010 Vintage
The spring leading up to the 2010 vintage was particularly cool which delayed veraison and resulted in lower yields of more concentrated fruit and higher acidity in the wines. Otherwise, the days were of average warmth without any peaks in temperature so even ripening occurred with good simultaneous development of fruit and sugar ripeness. 2010 Malbec shows a richer texture than other vintages due to the concentrated berries but the great structure of a harmonious season.
Remolinos Vineyard, Agrelo
Located at 3500 feet, in the renowned Mendoza appellation of Agrelo, our one-of-a-kind Remolinos Vineyard takes its name from ‘Remolinos’ – whirlwinds which keep the grapes dry and in perfect condition before being handpicked each vintage.
| Soils | Sandy clay loams over gravels. | |
| Yield | 3.5–4.0 tons per acre. | |
| Canopy | Leaf plucking of east facing canopy; cluster thinning to 1-2 clusters per shoot. | |
| Harvest Date | Handpicked April 5th - 25th, 2010. | |
| Selection Steps | Cluster selection when picking & second sorting within the small boxes. |
Winemaking
| 2 Sorting Tables | Cluster selection pre-destemmer; berry selection post-destemmer. | |
| Handling | Gravity fed. | |
| Maceration | 25-30 days total maceration; 5-7 days cold soak; 10 days fermentation in small wide stainless steel tanks. 78°F for most aromatic parcels and 86°F for parcels with more concentration to derive more texture; 15-18 days extended maceration. | |
| Maturation | Gently basket pressed before 90% goes into French oak barrels (30% new) for MLF and 14 months maturation. 10% remains in tank to preserve the delicate violet aromatics. |
2010 Decero Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
A core intesity of red fruit flavors and lifted violet aromas remain the signature of Malbec from our Remolinos Vineyard. This is exquisitely balanced by freshness of acidity and an elegant integration of French oak which adds complexity to the rich mid palate of this vintage.
14.5 % Alc pH 3.68 Acidity 5.77 g/l
Downloads
2009 Vintage
2009 is commonly regarded in Agrelo, and other appellations of Mendoza, as the vintage of the decade. The long, warm, dry summer provided us with the perfect picking conditions over an extensive 20 day period which enabled us to pick every parcel at just the right moment to accentuate the natural differences between Malbec from different blocks and rows in the vineyard. Characteristically some parcels showed the violet aromatics for which Remolinos Vineyard is known whilst others plunged into deep red even dark fruit flavors. The cold nights as ever common in Remolinos Vineyard brings length through acidity complementing a great depth of body in the 2009 Decero Malbec.
Remolinos Vineyard, Agrelo
Located at 3500 feet, in the renowned Mendoza appellation of Agrelo, our one-of-a-kind Remolinos Vineyard takes its name from ‘Remolinos’ – whirlwinds which keep the grapes dry and in perfect condition before being handpicked each vintage.
| Soils | Sandy clay loams over gravels. | |
| Yield | 3.5–4.0 tons per acre. | |
| Canopy | Leaf plucking of east facing canopy; cluster thinning to 1-2 clusters per shoot. | |
| Harvest Date | Handpicked April 5th – 25th, 2009. | |
| Selection Steps | Cluster selection when picking & second sorting within the small boxes. |
Winemaking
| 2 Sorting Tables | Cluster selection pre-destemmer; berry selection post-destemmer. | |
| Handling | Gravity fed. | |
| Maceration | 25-30 days total maceration; 5-7 days cold soak; 10 days fermentation in small wide stainless steel tanks. 78°F for most aromatic parcels and 86°F for parcels with more concentration to derive more texture; 15-18 days extended maceration. | |
| Maturation | Gently basket pressed before 90% goes into French oak barrels (30% new) for MLF and 14 months maturation. 10% remains in tank to preserve the delicate violet aromatics. |
2009 Decero Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
The core intesity of red fruit flavours and pure violet aromas remain the signature of Malbec from our Remolinos Vineyard. Exquisitely balanced by freshness of acidity and an elegant integration of French oak adds complexity to the rich velvety fruit notes of this vintage.
14.5 % Alc pH 3.75 Acidity 5.02 g/l
Downloads
2008 Vintage
2008 provided the idyllic vintage conditions for wines of finesse and longevity. This vintage will likely be rated as one of the best of the decade in Agrelo for Malbec. The days were consistently warm but never peaking with heat, the nights notably cooler than previous years. As a result the phenolic, sugar and flavor ripeness evolved in perfect unison to the delight of our viticulturist. The dry summer allowed no rain to hinder the perfectly healthy grape conditions. Picking was by hand, parcel by parcel, in the early morning, about a week earlier than usual. 2008 Decero Malbec shows heightened aromatics of violets, an intensity of red fruit and pristine acid and structural tannin balance.
Remolinos Vineyard, Agrelo
Located at 3500 feet, in the renowned Mendoza appellation of Agrelo, our one-of-a-kind Remolinos Vineyard takes its name from ‘Remolinos’ – whirlwinds which keep the grapes dry and in perfect condition before being handpicked each vintage.
| Soils | Sandy clay loams over gravels. | |
| Yield | 3.5– 4.0 tons per acre. | |
| Canopy | Leaf plucking of east facing canopy; cluster thinning to 1-2 clusters per shoot. | |
| Harvest Date | Handpicked April 7th – 18th, 2008. | |
| Selection Steps | Cluster selection when picking & second sorting within the small boxes. |
Winemaking
| 2 Sorting Tables | Cluster selection pre-destemmer; berry selection post-destemmer. | |
| Handling | Gravity fed. | |
| Maceration | 25-30 days total maceration; 5-7 days cold soak; 10 days fermentation in small wide stainless steel tanks. 78°F for most aromatic parcels and 86°F for parcels with more concentration to derive more texture; 15-18 days extended maceration. | |
| Maturation | Gently basket pressed before going into French oak barrels (30% new) for MLF and 14 months maturation. |
2008 Decero Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
The wine shows a core intesity of red fruit flavours and pure violet aromas, the signature of Malbec from our Remolinos Vineyard. Exquisitely balanced by freshness of acidity. Elegant integration of French oak gives further complexity to the highly structured tannins of the vintage.
14.5 % Alc pH 3.72 Acidity 5.91 g/l
Downloads
2007 Vintage
Vintage 2007 was excellent in Remolinos Vineyard and an outstanding vintage for Malbec. The daytime temperatures of the growing season were warmer than usual whilst the nights were colder brining good acid / sugar balance and greater color and phenol content in the grapes. Humidity was slightly higher but the whirlwinds - ‘Remolinos’ kept the grapes healthy and dry. Cold weather during February hastened the ripening process, we picked some rows up to 15 days earlier than usual. The quality of grapes from the 2007 vintage was extremely high; excellent balance, exceptional aromatics and concentration in the wines.
Remolinos Vineyard, Agrelo
Located at 3500 feet, in the renowned Mendoza appellation of Agrelo, our one-of-a-kind Remolinos Vineyard takes its name from ‘Remolinos’ – whirlwinds which keep the grapes dry and in perfect condition before being handpicked each vintage.
| Soils | Sandy clay loams over gravels. | |
| Yield | 3.5–4.0 tons per acre. | |
| Canopy | Leaf plucking of east facing canopy; cluster thinning to 1-2 clusters per shoot. | |
| Harvest Date | Handpicked April 15th – 25th, 2007. | |
| Selection Steps | Cluster selection when picking & second sorting within the small boxes. |
Winemaking
| 2 Sorting Tables | Cluster selection pre-destemmer; berry selection post-destemmer. | |
| Handling | Gravity fed. | |
| Maceration | 25-30 days total maceration:- 5-7 days cold soak; 10 days fermentation in small wide stainless steel tanks. 78°F for most aromatic parcels and 86°F for parcels with more concentration to derive more texture; 15-18 days extended maceration. | |
| Maturation | Gently basket pressed before going into French oak barrels (30% new) for MLF and 14 months maturation. |
2007 Decero Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
Intense violet aromas, the hallmark of Malbec from our Remolinos Vineyard is chased by a palate of raspberry flavors and an elegant integration of French oak giving further complexity. The signature of 2007 Decero Malbec are round tannins and exquisite balance.
14.1 % Alc pH 3.74 Acidity 5.65 g/l
Downloads
2006 Vintage
2006 was an excellent vintage in Agrelo. A cool winter with plenty of snow falling in the Andes was followed by a warm spring resulting in excellent and even fruit set. Summer was characterised by warm days and slightly cooler than usual nights – excellent ripening conditions. Finally, little rainfall from late February to the end of harvest led to an outstanding vintage.
Remolinos Vineyard, Agrelo
Located at 3500 feet, in the renowned Mendoza appellation of Agrelo, our one-of-a-kind Remolinos Vineyard takes its name from ‘remolinos’ – whirlwinds which keep the grapes dry and in perfect condition before being handpicked each vintage.
| Soils | Silty clay over sandy gravels. | |
| Yield | 3.5–4.0 tons per acre. | |
| Canopy | Leaf plucking of east facing canopy; cluster thinning to 1-2 clusters per shoot. | |
| Harvest Date | Handpicked 5th – 21st April, 2006 | |
| Selection Steps | Cluster selection when picking & second sorting within the small boxes. |
Winemaking
| 2 Sorting Tables | Cluster selection pre-destemmer; berry selection post-destemmer. | |
| Handling | Gravity fed. | |
| Maceration | 25-30 days total maceration:- 5-7 days cold soak; 10 days fermentation in small wide stainless steel tanks. 78°F for most aromatic parcels and 86°F for parcels with more concentration to derive more texture; 15-18 days extended maceration. | |
| Maturation | Gently basket pressed before going into French oak barrels (30% new) for MLF and 16 months maturation. |
2006 Decero Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
Intense violet aromas and purity of raspberry and red fruit flavours are typical of our Remolinos vineyard. 2006 Decero Malbec is a handcrafted expression of our Remolinos Vineyard.
14.5 % Alc pH 3.72 Acidity 5.05 g/l
