Press

92 Points: 2021 The Owl & The Dust Devil Cabernet Sauvignon, Remolinos Vineyard
A bold cabernet sauvignon that delivers lots of structure with its plentiful, dusty tannins. Iron, berries, currants and a touch of white pepper in the aromas and flavors. Quite long and tight now. This needs some time. 92 Points.
James Suckling – May 10, 2024

91 Points: 2022 The Owl & The Dust Devil Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
Aromas of dark berries and blueberries with roasted hazelnuts, cedar and chocolate. Full-bodied with intense, succulent fruit and firm, chewy tannins. Hints of cloves and tobacco at the end. Drink now or hold. 91 Points.
James Suckling – May 10, 2024

91 Points: 2021 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
Ripe dark cherries and plums with hints of licorice, spicy herbs and bark. Juicy and vivid with a chalky texture to its tannins and a medium to full body. Lightly chewy with a spicy edge to its fruit. 50% malbec, 22% cabernet sauvignon, 19% petit verdot and 9% tannat. Drink or hold. 91 Points.
James Suckling – May 10, 2024

92 Points: 2021 The Owl & The Dust Devil Cabernet Sauvignon, Remolinos Vineyard
A bold cabernet sauvignon that delivers lots of structure with its plentiful, dusty tannins. Iron, berries, currants and a touch of white pepper in the aromas and flavors. Quite long and tight now. This needs some time. Drink from 2026.
James Suckling – February 28, 2024

91 Points: 2022 The Owl & The Dust Devil Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
Aromas of dark berries and blueberries with roasted hazelnuts, cedar and chocolate. Full-bodied with intense, succulent fruit and firm, chewy tannins. Hints of cloves and tobacco at the end. Drink now or hold.
James Suckling – February 28, 2024

91 Points: 2021 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
Ripe dark cherries and plums with hints of licorice, spicy herbs and bark. Juicy and vivid with a chalky texture to its tannins and a medium to full body. Lightly chewy with a spicy edge to its fruit. 50% malbec, 22% cabernet sauvignon, 19% petit verdot and 9% tannat. Drink or hold.
James Suckling – February 28, 2024

93 Points: 2021 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
Tim Atkin MW – March 11, 2024

92 Points: 2022 The Owl & The Dust Devil Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
Tim Atkin MW – March 11, 2024

94 Points: 2021 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
Ranked in best wines of Agrelo
Descorchados – January 1, 2024

92 Points: 2021 The Owl & The Dust Devil Cabernet Sauvignon, Remolinos Vineyard
Descorchados – January 1, 2024

92 Points: 2021 The Owl & The Dust Devil Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
Descorchados – January 1, 2024

91 Points: 2021 The Owl & The Dust Devil Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
Tim Atkin MW – April 19, 2023

90 Points: 2020 The Owl & The Dust Devil Cabernet Sauvignon, Remolinos Vineyard
Tim Atkin MW – April 19, 2023

91 Points: 2020 The Owl & The Dust Devil Cabernet Sauvignon, Remolinos Vineyard
Attractive aromas of ripe blackberries and currants with hints of licorice, bark and cocoa. Medium- to full-bodied, firm and structured, with chalky tannins and a velvety mouthfeel. Flavorful and crunchy finish with notes of dark berries and dried herbs. 91 Points.
James Suckling – March 9, 2023

92 Points: 2021 The Owl & The Dust Devil Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
Seductive nose of incense, crushed walnuts, dried flowers, black cherries, chocolate strawberries and praline. Textured and structured, with a medium to full body and finely-knit tannins. 92 Points.
James Suckling – March 9, 2023

92 Points: 2020 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
Descorchados – January 1, 2023

91 Points: 2020 The Owl & The Dust Devil Cabernet Sauvignon, Remolinos Vineyard
Descorchados – January 1, 2023

93 Points: 2018 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
Descorchados – December 17, 2021

92 Points: 2019 The Owl & The Dust Devil Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
Descorchados – December 17, 2021

92 Points: 2019 The Owl & The Dust Devil Cabernet Sauvignon, Remolinos Vineyard
Descorchados – December 17, 2021

93 Points: 2018 The Owl and the Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
The pick of a strong range under The Owl and the Dust Devil label, this Remolinos Vineyard blend marries Malbec with 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot and 9% Tannat. Fresh, elegant and refined, in keeping with all the wines from Tommy Hughes, this is ripe, but not overly so with a spine of acidity and tannin and layers of blackberry, damson and blackcurrant leaf. 2023-30. 93 Points.
Best of Argentina Report 2021, Tim Atkin MW – May 17, 2021

92 Points: 2018 The Owl and the Dust Devil Cabernet Sauvignon, Remolinos Vineyard
All sourced from the Remolinos Vineyard that surrounds the winery, this is another impressive red from Tommy Hughes, produced from Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% Tannat. Leafy, fine and sensitively wooded, with some sweet cinnamon spice, good texture and acidity and a core of cassis and blueberry fruit. 2022-28. 92 Points.
Best of Argentina Report 2021, Tim Atkin MW – May 17, 2021

92 Points: 2018 The Owl and the Dust Devil Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
This evocatively named single vineyard Malbec comes from sandy clay soils in Alto Agrelo and is always one of the more approachable wines in the bodega’s range. Perfumed, elegant and well-balanced, it has 20% new wood, violet, black fig and red berry flavours and fine, palate-caressing tannins. 2022-26. 92 Points.
Best of Argentina Report 2021, Tim Atkin MW – May 17, 2021

92 Points: 2018 The Owl & The Dust Devil Cabernet Sauvignon, Remolinos Vineyard
Lots of purple fruit on the nose, along with some fresh-tobacco and cedar undertones. It’s medium-bodied with firm, polished and lightly chewy tannins. Slightly hollow in the center palate, but should fill in with bottle age. Try after 2023. 92 Points
James Suckling – February 26, 2021

92 Points: 2018 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
This is a firm, structured red that is more about polished tannins than ripe, rich fruit. It’s full-bodied with tightness and focus. Needs time to open. 54% malbec, 21% cabernet sauvignon, 16% petit verdot and 9% tannat. Try after 2023. 92 Points
James Suckling – February 26, 2021

90 Points: 2018 The Owl & The Dust Devil Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
Plums, flowers and hints of vanilla bean on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with medium firm tannins and a juicy finish. Vegan. Drink now. 90 Points James Suckling – February 26, 2021

94 Points: 2017 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
Descorchados – December 10, 2020

91 Points: 2018 The Owl & The Dust Devil Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
Descorchados – December 10, 2020

90 Points: 2018 The Owl & The Dust Devil Cabernet Sauvignon, Remolinos Vineyard
Descorchados – December 10, 2020

92 Points: 2017 The Owl and the Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
Engagingly named - who is the dust devil, you wonder? - this is a very stylish cuvée of Malbec with the remaining 50% divided between Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Tannat and Cabernet Franc. Deeply coloured and concentrated, yet fresh and smooth, this is a seamless assemblage with fine tannins and blackcurrant, vanilla and orange zest flavours. 2021-2. 92 Points
Best of Argentina Report 2020, Tim Atkin MW – March 10, 2020

91 Points: 2017 The Owl & The Dust Devil Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
Fresh herbs and a sappy edge to the aromas of red and dark plums here. The palate has medium body and a build of bold, dense yet fine tannin to close. Drink or hold. 91 Points
James Suckling – February 11, 2020

91 Points: 2017 The Owl & The Dust Devil Cabernet Sauvignon, Remolinos Vineyard
A ripe red-berry and cherry nose here with a gently spicy edge. The palate delivers such supple, fresh fruit with cocoa powder to close. Drink or hold. 91 Points
James Suckling – February 15, 2020

90 Points: 2017 The Owl & The Dust Devil Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
Wine Advocate – November 5, 2019

92 Points: 2015 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
Wine Advocate – November 5, 2019

90 Points: 2017 The Owl & The Dust Devil Malbec, Remolinos Vineyard
Bright ruby-red. Varietally expressive aromas of blackberry, dark chocolate, licorice and violet complicated by pungent dusty herbs. Concentrated, juicy and penetrating, with its dark berry, fresh plum, cherry and bitter chocolate flavors lifted by a violet element. Finishes clean and long, with firm, polished tannins and noteworthy vibrancy. Lovely fruit here--and well-judged oak. 90 Points.
Stephen Tanzer – September 5, 2019

92 Points: 2015 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
The Remolinos vineyard at Finca Decero is home to a colony of owls who keep pests at bay. They sometimes mistake small dusty whirlwinds, that form in the vineyard from time to time, for pests, swirling down from their perch before returning disappointed shortly thereafter. This is a red blend with more cabernet than usual due to its high quality in 2015. It is 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Malbec, 19% Petit Verdot and 10% Tannat and is an opaque purple red. The nose is fragrant with blackberry and blueberry fruit with fine well integrated oak spice with floral and mineral tones. The palate is smooth and rich and elegant with firm acidity to balance the abundant fruit and some fine tannin for grip on the finish. Excellent length. Try with a steak. Tasted July 2019. 92 Points.
Steve Thurlow, Wine Align – July 7th, 2019

90 Points: 2016 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
Full blackberry and blueberry fruit and soft tannins make this generous Mendoza red easy to enjoy. A blend of 50% Malbec, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, 8% Tannat and 4% Cabernet Franc. 90 Points.
James Suckling – March 28, 2019

91 Points: 2015 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
A single vineyard blend of 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Malbec, 19% Petit Verdot and 10%Tannat aged 18 months in French oak (40% new). The name refers to the dust devils which keep the vineyard dry and the predatory owls that protect the vines. Aromas of iron, grilled meat and cherry cola lead to a plush, pretty palate of fennel and red flowers, with fruity tones of raspberry and plum. 91 Points.
The Tasting Panel – November 2018

2015 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
Truly groundbreaking wine.
Jancis Robinson MW, @jancisrobinson Twitter – June 22, 2018

WINE OF THE WEEK: JancisRobinson.com - 2015 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
Finca Decero in Mendoza evidently understand that to really grab a drinker's attention, they need a story that is more memorable and more stirring than a simple claim. The Owl and The Dust Devil has got just such a story – and a brilliant way of telling it... In an industry where marketing and innovation is often an afterthought at best, this wine stands out for making the story of the wine so memorable.
Richard Hemming MW, www.jancisrobinson.com– June 22, 2018

GOLD LIST: 2015 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
“A ‘full-bodied and fresh’ addition to the Gold List, began an impressed Mattia Scarpazza of Petersham Nurseries, going on to describe ‘sweet baked notes of spiced black cherry and raspberry’. Carolina Seibel of Portland Restaurant noted signs of ‘development, with red and dark fruits, some leafy and orange peel notes on the nose, leading to candied lingonberry fruit with very fine, intense tannins’. Enamoured of its ‘complex layers of cigar box, tobacco and earthy notes’, Sahar Gharai of La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge (California) saw this as a perfect match for grilled entrecôte. Gold List, Sommelier Wine Awards 2018”.
Sommelier Wine Awards – May 17, 2018

2015 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
This is 6 stars, 5 is usually our max, but this is some GOOD STUFF. This is the perfect wine for us, great taste for you and a technical app for me!
Harriet Minter, Natalie Campbell & Emma Sexton, Badass Women’s Hour – May 5, 2018

93 Points: 2015 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
Finca Decero’s evocatively named cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot and a little Tannat is now into its second edition. The Petit Verdot provides lots of structure here, giving backbone to the sweet, succulent dark berry fruit. Fresh acidity cleans the palate and lengthens the finish. 2019-25. 93 Points
Argentina Report 2018, Tim Atkin MW - April 2018

91 Points: 2015 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
This starts off all floral charm, but in the finish there’s some serious structure and in between there’s a lot of pleasure to be gained from this well-balanced blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, petit verdot and tannat. Drink or hold. 91 Points
James Suckling, jamessuckling.com – March 30, 2018

92 Points: 2015 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
The 2015 Owl & the Dust Devil is a blend of 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Malbec, 19% Petit Verdot and the rest Tannat that saw 18 months in 40% new French oak. This medium to full-bodied, elegant blend gives up plenty of black and blue fruits, violets/spring flowers, and a hint of menthol. It has outstanding purity of fruit, moderate tannin, and is already drinking great. 92 Points
Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com - March 16, 2018

90 Points: 2014 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
Perfumed and juicy with blackberry and cherry character. Medium body, firm tannins and a silky and refined finish. A blend of malbec, cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot and tannat. Drink or hold. 90 Points
James Suckling, jamessuckling.com – August 1, 2017

90 Points: 2014 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
Rich and well-structured, with loads of minerality to the pepper-accented dried raspberry and red plum flavors. Hazelnut details linger on the plush, cream-filled finish. Drink now through 2020. 90 points
Wine Spectator – March 6, 2017

92 Points: 2014 The Owl & The Dust Devil Icon Blend, Remolinos Vineyard
Decero bases all its wines on fruit from Remolinos, a vineyard in the highest part of Agrelo. This bottling is based on Malbec (43 percent), which sets out a lovely layer of violet-scented cherry fruit, while Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat and Petit Verdot provide firmness and flavor detail. A complex wine to pour with rosemary-braised lamb. 92 Points
Wine & Spirits – February 1, 2017