2013 Chacra Cincuenta y Cinco (1955) Pinot Noir Patagonia

The 2013 Bodega Chacra 'Cincuenta Y Cinco' Pinot Noir comes from 60 year-old vines in the Rio Negro Valley of Patagonia. This is fermented in small enamel lined tanks, and then transferred to French oak barrels (20% new) where it spent 14 months. As this slowly opens in the glass it delivers bright aromas of red raspberry and cranberries followed by spices and floral notes, which all come together beautifully. On the palate this offers a gorgeous silky texture with a wonderful balance of fruit and acidity. It remains fresh and vibrant through the elegant finish where red berries and spices linger. This shows excellent potential to age gracefully for years to come. (Best 2017-2029)

Fabulous aromas of light cloves and other spices plus dark fruits and citrus fruit. Full body, with super structure and richness yet plenty of tannin tension and bright acidity. Very vibrant. Whole berry fermentation with pinot noir that's biodynamically grown. Needs three or four years to come around, but superb.

They went for a slightly more reductive style in 2013, which shows as austere and backward in the 2013 Cincuenta y Cinco. That, combined with a cooler growing season resulted in a very elegant, subtle wine that is light- colored and has floral (roses, lilies) notes alongside wild strawberries and raspberries. It feels light but has very good concentration of flavors and enough clout, while keeping the poise. The tannins feel very refined, there is good freshness and acidity. It should have a very nice evolution in bottle. This would be the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. Bravo!

(aged for 14 months in French oak): Bright medium red. Pungent aromas of cranberry, pomegranate, raspberry, minerals and sandalwood, plus a hint of peppery spices. Silky and quite dry, showing lovely inner-mouth clarity and lift but only moderate flesh and sweetness. The adamantly dry finish hints at fresh herbs and spices. I never would have guessed that this Pinot was carrying 14% alcohol. Needs time to unwind but will it eventually blossom in the bottle? With 24 hours in the recorked bottle, this wine showed intriguing aromas of mint and quinine and a distinctly silkier texture, with a sweet, savory raspberry flavor emerging. The wine performed admirably in a flight of 2012 red Burgundies I happened to be tasting and I raised my score accordingly.

"Fabelagtig til fasan." - "Intens næse med blomster, staldpræg og pibetobak. Silkeblød og fyldig i munden med frisk frugt syre og lakrids." "Chacra er et af Sydamerikas fineste bud på pinot noir, og den fremstilles i øvrigt af en italiensk vinadelsmand. Han hedder Piero Incisa della Rochetta og er en del af familien bag den italienske topvin Sassicaia.

Jeg faldt for Chacra Cincuenta y Cinco (1995, det år vinen blev plantet) i årgang 2013 - vi smagte også 2007 og 2012. Her var fyldig, klar frugt, der gik mere i retning af Bourgogne end en oversøisk vin. Der var fin mineralitet. Fremragende vin for bare 200 kr. (tilbudspris) ved køb af 12 flasker.