Bodega Chacra Chardonnay "Mainque" 2022

The Land

The Mainqué Chardonnay is sourced from three parcels within Bodega Chacra's estate in the Rio Negro Valley of northern Patagonia. These parcels feature sandier soils with a combination of sand, clay, pebbles, and pebbles covered in calcareous matter. The unique terroir of the Rio Negro Valley, an ancient riverbed, is composed of limestone, sand, and clay. The pristine, pollution-free air, arid climate, and tremendous luminosity of the region create ideal conditions for growing Chardonnay, as well as their well-known Pinot Noir.

The Wine

The 2022 Mainqué Chardonnay is made with a fermentation in small, round tanks with little depth and great width to maximize skin contact, yet with a delicate approach and without excessive extraction, aiming for balance and elegance. It is fermented using indigenous yeasts in small cement tanks and sees a partial malolactic fermentation. This bottling is aged in a mix of 25-30% new French oak barrels, with the same dry-aged, extra fine grain barrels used by Jean-Marc Roulot in Meursault. It is not fined or filtered before bottling and is a clear example of the combination of the unique terroir of the Rio Negro Valley and the winemaking experience of Piero Incisa della Rocchetta and Jean-Marc Roulot.

The People

Bodega Chacra was established in 2004 by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta, who was drawn to the old Pinot Noir vines in the Rio Negro Valley. With the help of Jean-Marc Roulot, he now seeks to express the best of both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the region. The team at Chacra approaches farming with a deep respect for balance, working biodynamically and avoiding synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and artificial fertilizers. They work to create a self-sustaining farm with an aim to use nature as a guide in the vineyard and the cellar. The winery is seeking to redefine what is possible with wine in the Southern Hemisphere.