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Description
Bodega Chacra is located in the Rio Negro Valley of northern Patagonia, in the dead centre of Argentina.
Founded in 2003 by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta - the grandson of Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, creator of Sassacaia, one of the monuments of Italian. After trying a Patagonian Pinot at a tasting in NYC, Piero began searching for site in the Rio Negro region, a search that bore fruit in the Mainque region. He took over a site with ungrafted vines dating back to 1932, and the development of a world-class winery took shape, with a focus on organic and biodynamic viticulture.
He brought legendary Meursault producer Jean-Marc Roulot on board to aid in the planting and vinification of Chardonnay - not a bad advisor! Piero's dedication to producing outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay was rewarded when Chacra Treinta y Dos Pinot 2018 was named Best Wine in the World by James Suckling.
- 2023 Bodega Chacra Manique Chardonnay
- 2023 Bodega Chacra Chardonnay
- 2023 Bodega Chacra Cinquenta Y Cinco Pinot Noir
- 2022 Bodega Chacra Trienta Y Dos Cinco Pinot Noir
2023 Bodega Chacra Manique Chardonnay
Chacra's Mainque Chardonnay is a regional blend that features fruit off more sandier soils. This is barrel fermented (the top Chacra Chardonnay is fermented in cement), and goes through some malolactic.
So there are some hazelnutty, oak-driven notes at this young stage in life but it displays the consistent Chacra qualities of a driving minerality, a salinity even, and a long, long linear finish.
It is sinewy, citrussy and delicate all at once. We just love the Chacra Chardonnays.
97 points
"Apple, brioche, flint, pear and slate aromas with hints of apple tart follow through to a full body with gorgeous richness and depth, yet it grows on the palate. Very vertical and goes deep. Best ever. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling
2023 Bodega Chacra Chardonnay
Bodega Chacra owner Piero started a partnership to produce Chardonnay with Meursault legend Jean-Marc Roulot after a chance conversation. Some underperforming old Merlot vines were grafted to Chardonnay and the first vintage was released 2017. More plantings have followed as the region seems very suited to Chardonnays, which are taut, linear and minerally in style.
This is simply a magnificent wine that we wished had more of. Tight, herbal, long, linear and very uplifting.
The nose has oatmeal, citrus, and wild herb aromatics, with some much going on. There is a dry austerity in the mouth, like a pebbly Chablis but this juxtaposed by a lovely, airy creaminess.
Only tiny amounts available of one of our favourite Chardonnays of the year.
99 points
"This is very compressed and vertical, with deep mineral notes from the high quality of the single vineyard. The finish goes on for minutes. Compressed and precise with structure and sophistication, yet there’s attractiveness now that makes the wine a must to drink. Best ever. Drink or hold." - James Suckling
2023 Bodega Chacra Cinquenta Y Cinco Pinot Noir
The Rio Negra region where Bodega Chacra is located is essentially one big alluvial plain, a ribbon of meltwater from the Andes, with desert on either side.
Of all the Chacra wines the Cinquenta y Cinco (1955) Pinot Noir most reflects the stony, pebbly soil, with a supremely fine but dense, gravelly palate that is wonderfully pristine and detailed.
The colour is a beautiful red garnet, the nose full of musky red fruits and a slight herbal note and the mouthfeel is invigoratingly fresh and pure for something so concentrated. Some gentle tannin adds support.
An outstanding wine, one of our best of the year.
97 points
"This is incredibly fresh and vivid with orange peel, orange blossoms, cherries and hints of rose stem. Medium-bodied with a sleek and racy palate of creamy, fine tannins and a energetic length and purity. Crunchy. 100% whole cluster. From vineyards planted in 1955. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling
2022 Bodega Chacra Trienta Y Dos Cinco Pinot Noir
One of the icon wines of South America, a single vineyard Pinot Noir from an ungrafted site planted in 1932. The vineyard was rescued and restored by Bodega Chacra owner Piero Incisa della Rocchetta, and his reward was James Suckling making the 2018 vintage release his Wine of the Year. An astonishing achievement.
This wine is one of the great examples of Pinot Noir outside of Europe, a benchmark and shining light for Argentina - we are very lucky to receive an allocation.
As befits a wine designed to age there was some spicy, cedary oak on the palate but this was not intrusive - everything was just so classy, detailed and fine. It's an incredible New World wine to rival the best of Europe.
99 points & No. 2 Wine in Argentina
"A beautiful, nervy pinot here. Such purity and depth on the nose for a pinot that barely has any extraction. Tile, flowers, minerals and racy crushed raspberries and wild strawberries. Tense and pretty on the palate with incredible vibrancy and verve. Naturally structured. Long and really refined. So subtle, yet it lasts almost two minutes. Full of fruit. A step up from 2021."
- James Suckling
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