Chacra Pinot Noir "Cincuenta y Cinco" Patagonia 2023

96 WA

Notes:

Bodega Chacra was founded in 2004 by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta, grandson of Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, the creator of Sassicaia. After discovering the potential of old-vine Pinot Noir in Patagonia, Piero became convinced that the cool climate and unique terroir of Río Negro could produce Pinot Noir of world-class quality. Today, Chacra is widely regarded as the benchmark producer of Pinot Noir in South America.
The name "Cincuenta y Cinco" refers to the vineyard's planting date of 1955. These old, head-trained vines grow in the Río Negro Valley of Patagonia, one of the southernmost fine wine regions in the world. The vineyard's age contributes depth, complexity, and naturally low yields, resulting in exceptional concentration without sacrificing elegance.
The vineyard sits on ancient riverbed soils composed of pebbles, sand, and alluvial deposits. Located between the Andes Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, the site benefits from intense sunlight, cool nights, and constant winds that preserve acidity while extending the growing season. These conditions create Pinot Noir with remarkable freshness, aromatic lift, and mineral tension.
Chacra farms according to certified organic and biodynamic principles, emphasizing soil health and biodiversity. The estate believes that healthy vines and living soils are essential to expressing the purity of Patagonia's terroir. Vineyard work is carried out with minimal intervention, allowing the old vines to fully reflect their environment.
Winemaking is deliberately gentle and Burgundian in philosophy. The 2023 Cincuenta y Cinco was fermented using 100% whole clusters at low temperatures to enhance floral aromatics and preserve freshness. Fermentation takes place in small tanks before aging in French oak, only a modest portion of which is new, ensuring that the vineyard remains the focus.
Aromatically, the wine displays layers of red cherry, wild strawberry, blood orange peel, rose petal, lavender, and crushed stone. Whole-cluster fermentation contributes subtle spice and floral complexity, while the palate remains remarkably pure and energetic. Many critics describe the wine as possessing a distinctly Burgundian elegance despite its New World origins.
What separates Cincuenta y Cinco from many New World Pinot Noirs is its emphasis on tension, minerality, and restraint rather than richness. The 2023 vintage is particularly vivid and precise, combining silky tannins with vibrant acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish. It is approachable today but should continue to evolve gracefully through at least 2033–2035.