Malbec 2017

Finca Decero and the estate’s single vineyard is located at 3500ft in the Agrelo sub-appellation of Luján de Cuyo in the north western part of the province of Mendoza. Remolinos Vineyard derives its name from the little whirlwind spiral formations of soil which form in the afternoon as the gentle wind lifts the dry soil from the paths of the vineyard into swaying ‘dust devils’.

Altitude plays and critical role in quality of Finca Decero’s wines as it reduces night-time temperatures which is key to preserving the natural acidity in the grapes. This natural acidity plays an important role in the aging potential of the wines (allowing the wines to age with grace over a long period of time), but also in the natural freshness/crispness and hallmark elegance of Finca Decero wines. In addition, grapes grown at higher altitudes absorb more ultraviolet light. This has a significant impact on the phenol content of the grape skins as they thicken to protect from UV absorption. As such, grapes grown at higher altitude, as at Finca Decero, produce wines of enhanced texture and intensity of color.

Finca Decero has a unique tapestry of soils which is unmatched in other areas of Agrelo. From the beginning, the winery has done extensive soil profiling to make planting decisions and in 2015, overseen by wine terroir consultant Pedro Parra Ph.D, has further investigated the micro-differences affecting each individual vine. Remolinos Vineyard is the converging point in Agrelo of two different soil formations: alluvial and colluvial soils. The vineyard also uniquely has very high levels of calcium carbonate dissolved in the silt deposits interlaced through these soil types across the vineyard. It is this dissolved calcium carbonate and silt that give Decero wines their hallmark silky palate feel for which they are renown.

The clusters are selected on a sorting table prior to destemming, and individual berries are selected on a sorting table after destemming. The must underwent a 5-7 day cold soak, followed by 10 days of fermentation in small wide stainless steel tanks (at lower temperatures for aromatic parcels, 78 degrees versus 86 degrees for parcels with greater concentration) and finally, a 15-18 day extended maceration period. The wine was gently basket pressed before going into French oak barrels (30% new) for malolactic fermentation and 14 months maturation. 10% of the wine remains in the tank to preserve the delicate violet aromatics.

On the lead up to vintage 2017, Mendoza experienced a moderate and dry winter with temperatures slightly above average. During the following cold, dry spring a frost took the winery by surprise and naturally resulted in decreased yields in the Remolinos Vineyard but did not affect quality. These lower yields provided concentrated fruit of high quality; the quality of which was undiminished by the drops of rain which finally came in March and April.

2017 Decero Malbec continues in the style that characterizes the Remolinos Vineyard, displaying intense violet aromas over a core of red fruits with notes of cherries and raspberries. A medium-bodied, very well balanced wine with fresh acidity, it shows supple and elegant tannins that benefit from 14 months maturation in French oak barrels.