Bodega Chacra, Mainque Chardonnay, 2020

Bodega Chacra was created back in 2003 when Piero Incisa della Rochetta, the Grandson of the late, great marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta tasted a wine from the region in a New York restaurant and instantly saw the full potential. Wondering who the della Rochetta’s are? Piero’s Grandfather is the founder of Tenuta San Guido; the makers of Sassicaia. Winemaking is truly in his blood. The estate originally consisted of a single plot, planted way back in 1932, which had been simply abandoned. Other sites soon followed, which were both seriously old vines too and needless to say, some serious work was needed to bring the winery to its current run of form.

Unusually, the vines are actually growing on their own rootstock (almost all commercial vines are now planted on phylloxera-resistant roots with other qualities to help the vine grow in a certain location). The unique position of the vineyards, nestled right in the middle of the desert and cultivation only possible thanks to the nearby Rio Negro river, means they can flood irrigate up to three times per year, preventing the dreaded Phylloxera and other pests, which also allows them to cut down on chemicals so that organic viticulture is practised here. Where pests struggle, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the other hand thrive, producing wines of exquisite quality in the right hands.

"The 2020 Chardonnay Mainqué was made in partnership with the Burgundy winemaker Jean Marc Roulot with grapes from an old vineyard in Mainqué, Río Negro. Seventy-three percent of the wine was aged in mostly used French barrels, the rest in concrete tanks for 11 months. Yellow in the glass. The clear, expressive nose presents notes of acacia, hawthorn and honey with hints of pear and apple. Subtle aromas from the aging process enhance the complexity. Saline with expressive freshness, the flow is delicate while ginger notes develop at the back of the mouth. A rich, nuanced, vibrant wine." 95 points Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous.