Finca Decero, Agrelo (Mendoza, Argentina) “Amano” 2006

($50, Vintus): The 2006 vintage was the first release for Finca Decero and it’s either beginner’s luck or great talent.  After tasting their fabulous 2006 Cabernet (reviewed previously) and with Paul Hobbs as consultant, I suspect it’s the latter.  This, their flagship wine, is a blend of primarily Malbec (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (35%) and Petit Verdot and is a selection of their best barrels.  The Malbec adds richness and plumminess to the minerality and chocolate elements imparted by Cabernet and rounds out the wine nicely.  The Petit Verdot adds a bit more oomph to this already powerful wine.  Remarkably suave now, you could open it tonight and enjoy it with a leg of lamb or pan-sautéed steak. 92 Michael Apstein Feb 3, 2009