2010 Chacra Treinta y Dos (1932) Pinot Noir Patagonia

A sexy pinot with smoky, dark berry, mushroom and dried strawberry character. Full body, velvety tannins and a long and delicious finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now.

The 2010 Treinta y Dos shows slightly reductive aromas from the barrel with toast and toffee notes over the core of wild berries. Until that vintage this wine was sourced from a vineyard planted in 1932 - hence its name - and was aged in 100% new 225-liter French oak barrels for one year. It's been in bottle for a few years now, so give it time in the decanter if you uncork one. The grapes were hand destemmed and fermented in cement. The palate shows grainy tannins and would need food.

Medium red. Dark cherry, boysenberry, licorice, herbs and aromatic spices on the nose. Juicy, spicy and dense but the cola and chocolate flavors come off as rather foursquare and oaky following the 2011 Cincuenta y Cinco. Finishes savory and dry, with dusty tannins. Until recently, Chacra's two high- end pinots were released together. But this 2010 came out later: it spent 22 months in all-new French oak, and is currently in the marketplace along with the 2011 Cincuenta y Cinco, which aged for 14 months in all-used barrels. My scores should make it clear which approach to elevage I preferred.

A red color and a bouquet equal to a cloud of char and berry fruit form the greeting on this Pinot. Flavors of rose water, herbs, wood spice, red plum and raspberry storm onto an acid-driven finish that hangs around with complexities. This is not Chacra's best PN but it's still impressive. - M.S.

Racy and detailed, offering a fresh mix of crushed raspberry and cherry fruit supported with silky tannins. A minerally undertow leads a range of spice, game and floral hints through the long finish. Drink now through 2020. -NW