Wine of the Month

CHACRA 'Barda' 2008

 To accompany the summer days ahead of us whilst you are dining at Gaucho; soaking up the sun at one of our riverside restaurants or enjoying the cool interiors of Central London.

I make the suggestion that you avert your gaze from our superb selection of Malbec and look at some of the other varieties we champion. I look to the Pinot's, more specifically Pinot Noir from Patagonia.  The Patagonian provinces of Neuquen and Rio Negro are on a similar latitude to the South Island of New Zealand; where Central Otago is fast forging a reputation for this temperamental yet prized red grape of Burgundy.

The Chacra 'Barda' Pinot Noir 2008 has to be a serious contender.  The wine-maker Hans Vinding-Diers, South African of Dutch descent grew up on family owned Bordeaux Estates and co-owns Bodega Noemia, another of Patagonia's prestigious wineries.  This wine is 100% Pinot Noir of which less than 30,000 bottles of the 2008 vintage were made.  It has spent 11 months in French oak; 25% new and 75% second use.  The beauty of this grape and indeed this wine is in its versatility.  Enjoy with Patagonian lamb chops, Argentine steak, spatchcock chicken or Red snapper.

I would recommend that you ask for this wine to be decanted, then all you have to do is relax and enjoy.  Subtle yet complex and quietly powerful; silky red berries, hints of charcoal with underlying autumnal notes.  Will only get better.  If you try this and enjoy it why not tempt yourself with the Chacra '55' on the Fine and Rare list - a rare treat.