2025 Mainque Chardonnay, Bodega Chacra - A surprise for Burgundy fans?
Throughout the Chacra lineup, a common thread is a lithe, slender profile rendered with precision, with an approachability that somewhat belies how serious the wines are, which can easily be missed due to the combination of delicacy and their simply delicious nature.
Matthew Luczy, robertparker.com, August 2026
2025 Mainqué Chardonnay, Bodega Chacra
£195 per 6 bottle case in bond
I have often been sceptical when Burgundian producers establish projects outside Burgundy. Too often, the resulting wines struggle to reconcile New World fruit with Old World aspirations. Bodega Chacra is one of the rare exceptions and, to my mind, one of the most exciting Chardonnay projects anywhere in South America.
Founded by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta, grandson of the creator of Sassicaia, in Patagonia and developed over two decades through painstaking work in the vineyard, Chacra has become a benchmark for the region. Old ungrafted vines, organic and biodynamic farming, and an obsessive focus on soil health have transformed these historic vineyards into some of the continent's most expressive sites. A long-standing collaboration with Jean-Marc Roulot, the highly respected Meursault producer, has helped shape a style defined by precision, freshness and transparency. The results speak for themselves.
The 2025 is a superb introduction to the estate as it delivers remarkable poise and sophistication for a wine at this price point. Matthew Luczy clearly shares that view, awarding the wine 94 points in The Wine Advocate:
2025 Mainqué Chardonnay, Bodega Chacra
£195 per 6 bottle case in bond
94 points, Matthew Luczy, robertparker.com, August 2026
The 2025 Mainqué Chardonnay combines five vineyards situated on sandy soils, including the estate Lunita site, each vinified separately and matured predominantly in oak barrels, along with amphora and stainless steel for 11 months. A radiant nose combines a core of tropical citrus with fresh herbs and floral overtones, followed by a beautifully textured mouthfeel that perfectly balances lush texture with spry energy. It concludes with a similarly lifted finish that echoes with lovely nuance and a discreet lees-derived richness. Drink 2026-2033
What impressed me most when I tasted this morning was the balance. The beauty of South American Chardonnay often lies in its lively, racy fruit and natural freshness, but occasionally that comes at the expense of mid-palate texture and complexity. Mainqué manages to combine both attributes effortlessly. Citrus fruit, delicate floral notes, subtle minerality and gentle lees complexity all take centre stage, while the oak remains firmly in the background. Here, it provides just enough breadth and structure to complement the wine's vibrant fruit without ever distracting from it.
There is a sophistication to Mainqué that sets it apart from many of its peers. Whilst Luczy sees considerable ageing potential, I find it immensely attractive already. The combination of vibrancy, mineral tension and quietly confident winemaking makes this a wine that will drink beautifully from the outset and over the next five years. At just £195 per 6 bottle case in bond, Mainqué offers a compelling glimpse into one of the most thoughtful vineyard projects in South America today. Quite simply, it is a genuinely classy Chardonnay, and one that I suspect will pleasantly surprise many Burgundy fans.
Simon
simon.larkin@atlasfinewines.com