Vintus

Decero Malbec, Agrelo

2006 was an excellent vintage in Agrelo.  A cool winter with plenty of snow fall in the Andes was followed by a warm spring, resulting in excellent and even fruit set.  Summer was characterized 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. 

Most of the Remolinos vineyard consists of silty clay over sandy gravels.  The yields for the plots that go into the Decero Malbec are around 3.5-4 tons an acres.  Clusters are thinned to 1-2 clusters per shoot, are hand-picked, and then sorted twice.  After maceration and a cold soak, the various malbec lots were fermented at different temperatures depending on their characteristics; slightly lower temperatures for the more aromatic parcels, and higher temperatures for parcels with more concentration.  The wine was then gently basket pressed before going into French oak (30% new) for malolactic fermentation and 16 months maturation.

The Decero Malbec has a deep ruby color, with bright fruit and spice in the nose.  Intense violet aromas and purity of raspberry and red fruit flavors are typical of the Remolinos vineyard.   The wine has good structure, but remains elegant in the mouth, with a long finish, and a noticeably good acid balance.