2021 Bodega Chacra Cincuenta Y Cinco Pinot Noir

Bodega Chacra was formed in 2004 by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta, the grandson of Sassicaia’s founder, Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta. Piero always wanted to do his own thing independent of family ties, and in 2004 he heard about an abandoned Pinot vineyard in Patagonia that was originally planted in 1932 and knew immediately it was the opportunity he had been looking for. And so began what is now Bodega Chacra, generally recognised as the greatest Pinot Noir produced in South America.

Over time another vineyard from 1955 was added along with more plantings. Vineyards are tended using organic and biodynamic principles. The old vines are planted on their own rootstocks, producing tiny bunches with incredibly concentrated flavours. Fruit is hand harvested, fermented in concrete, transferred by gravity and treated in the gentlest way possible without fining or filtration in order to produce wines with transparency.

Cincuenta y Cinco comes from vineyards planted in 1955 which gently rest on a sea of pebbles, typical in riverbed soils. It is fermented whole cluster at very low temperatures, enhancing the floral characteristics of the wine. Cincuenta y Cinco has the highest amount of tension of all the Chacra wines while it still retains a comfortable ease.

Other Reviews....
The élevage for the 2021 Cincuenta y Cinco was different from the past; they have now aged 40% in concrete tanks (it used to be 25%), 40% in French oak barrels and 20% in clay amphorae for nine months. They use cover crops in the vineyard, where they don't even use sulfur or copper. It fermented in a round and wide concrete vat with indigenous yeasts for 12 to 15 days with full clusters and an infusion with little extraction. It has moderate ripeness and 12% alcohol, with more tension than the others. This is basically the same wine as the Sin Azufre but with a little more oak, which is barely noticeable but with some spiciness and Burgundian character developing tantalizing notes of violet pastille with time in the glass. It has a bright ruby color and a complex and subtle nose full of elegance and nuance. The palate is medium-bodied, with very fine tannins and supple flavors, primary, young and apparently weightless and ethereal but full of inner energy. It has bright flavors of fresh cherries and raspberries and a citrus twist of orange peel that adds freshness. Gobsmacking! 30,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2021. Drink 2022 - 2034.
99 points
Luis Gutiérrez - Wine Advocate (Dec 2022)

Perfumed and floral aromas of rose petals, rose hips, wild strawberries, raspberries, sliced mushrooms and orange zest. Bright and succulent with a medium body and very fine, firm tannins. Delightful citrus and crunchy red-fruit character with pretty rose-petal notes throughout. Drink from 2024. From biodynamically grown grapes.
98 points
JamesSuckling.com

From vines planted in 1955 on a sea of pebbles. Bam bam.
Raspberry, dried cherry, a little aniseed and floral top note, distinctly steely too. Medium-bodied, slightly sappy red fruits, chalky and stony, a little game meat and juniper, so bright and packed with energy, and a pebble and dried herb finish of excellent length. Brisk, fresh, charismatic, and dynamic. Less oak than the Trienta y Dos and maybe better for that in a way. Great Pinot Noir, from south of the border! Drink 2023 - 2030+.
96 points
Gary Walsh - The Wine Front