93 pts 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.
92 pts Tim Atkin MW
Tommy Hughes is making some excellent wines at Finca Decero, expressing his Alto Agrelo terroirs with real precision and finesse. This elegant, floral Malbec, embellished by 20% new wood, is refined and refreshing with nuanced tannins and sweet red berry fruit.
91 pts 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.
91 pts 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.
91 pts 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