Bodega Chacra Mainqué Chardonnay 2022

Bodega Chacra Mainque Chardonnay may at first seem delicate, even a little closed so aerate the wine by swirling in your glass before smelling and tasting. Its seemingly delicate nature opens up to reveal clean, fresh fruity and floral aromas; on tasting, it is the fruit flavours that dominate and a mineral almost saline edge. Only 9% of this wine is aged in new oak barrels and 37% in used barrels, the remainder in concrete eggs and in stainless steel which explains why the profile is fruit-forward. Chacra’s objective is “for the oak, the fruit and the nuances of the soil to marry perfectly so that the influence of the wood is nearly imperceptible in the wine. The vine and the character of the land are expressed to their fullest.”

Bodega Chacra Mainque Chardonnay tastes principally of orchard fruits like pears and green apples with a hint of lime which accentuates the crisp minerality and acidity. The texture is silky and the finish very long. This is a superb elegant New World Chardonnay, the project of an Italian, Piero Incisa della Rocchetta of the renowned winemaking family responsible for cult wine, Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia. Piero found what is now the Chacra estate with vines planted in 1932 and subsequently abandoned. Chardonnay vines were grafted onto the old Pinot Noir rootstock to benefit from the old vines. Working in partnership with Burgundian winemaker, Jean-Marc Roulot, Piero follows organic and biodynamic principles in producing this beautiful Chardonnay.

For another fabulous New World Chardonnay, try Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay.

Delicious on its own or with food, this wine is very drinkable now and will develop some richness over the next few years. Recommended for drinking with oysters, other shellfish and fish generally, foie gras, chicken, fruit-based desserts but nothing too strongly-flavoured. Personally though I prefer to just pour a glass and savour this wine.

Serve at: 10 – 14°C

“… this has an up-front fruit, a salinity shared with Chacra Chardonnay, and a tasty finish lent by the calcareous components of the alluvial soil.”

17/20 points – JancisRobinson.com – May 2023
“Light lemon/gold. Not the most direct nose, but there’s no doubting the layers of focused orchard fruit, hedgerow flowers and very subtle gunflint character underneath. Delicious enveloping texture and drive, a touch of mealy, honeyed character. Harmonious texture and saline length.”

96 points – JamesSuckling.com – Mar 23
“Such a flinty nose that delivers a full package of minerality. Quarry, chalk, gun powder and lime. The nose really speaks to you. Creamy and textured on the palate with bright but chiselled acidity and real tension. One of the best Mainque’s ever? Chacra’s answer to fine Chablis. Drink or hold. From biodynamically grown grapes.”

93 points – Decanter – Jun 2025
“Arguably the best vintage of Mainqué to date. Broad yet focused, the 2022 offers a honeyed texture cut through by a spine of racy acidity. A hint of gunflint on the nose gives way to flavours of white peach, camomile and sea spray. Lively and complete.”

93 points – Vinous.com – Nov 2023
“Yellow-hued, with a greenish sheen in color, it offers reductive aromas of gun powder, honey and ripe pear, accented by hints of chamomile. Dry and refreshing, the round, creamy palate lingers long, finishing with a saline touch. This is a transparent and delicate Chardonnay.”