Chakana - Ayni Nature Sparkling NV (750ml)

Add to Wish List

Price: $29.99

3+ Price: $27.99 / btl

6+ Price: $25.99 / btl

12+ Price: $24.99 /btl

Producer	Chakana
Country	Argentina
Region	Mendoza
Varietal	Pinot Noir
Sku	118809
Size	750ml
ABV	12.50%

Chakana Description

Kys

Chakana is a family owned winery located 960 meters (3,149 feet) above sea level at the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Agrelo, Mendoza. It is one of the leading projects among the new generation of winemakers dedicated to the discovery and expression of the Andean diversity of climate and soils.

Chakana is the name given to the Southern Cross constellation by the indigenous people of the Andes highlands. The Chakana is believed to hold the key to finding the perfect timing for the cultivation and harvesting of crops – a calendar, compass & symbolic link between earth and spirit. On May 2, 2002, the Chakana reached perfect vertical position in the sky, marking the beginning of a new farming cycle. It was then that Chakana's founder Juan Pelizzatti chose its name for his winery, paying homage to the Incan understanding of and respect for nature.

Chakana wines are designed by winemaker Gabriel Bloise, whose wines get “better with every vintage” according to Jeb Dunnuck. Gabriel has participated in multiple harvests in key regions of the world, such as Tuscany, California, Priorat, and Australia.

Gabriel & the team at Chakana are committed to biodynamic and organic viticulture & preserving the true character of the soils & region: "Higher quality fruit demands minimum intervention in the winery to create truly enjoyable wines that challenge the established criteria of manipulation: spontaneous fermentation, natural acidity, minimum or no sulphur, locally adapted varieties, no clarification nor filtration preserve the identity of wines."

The Vineyards

Chakana owns 121 hectares (299 acres) of vineyards, spread across the top terroirs in Mendoza. They have followed organic and biodynamic viticulture practices since 2012 and have organic, biodynamic & vegan certifications from Demeter, USDA & other organizations.

Ayni is the Quechua term for the principle of reciprocity, practiced for centuries by the Andean people - "in order to receive, you first have to give." Chakana's renowned Paraje Altamira vineyard, which sits 3,300 feet above sea level, bears the name Ayni & is the source of the Ayni wines.

Argentina has a history of sparkling wine production dating back to the early 1960's.

Creamy with a nice toasty aroma. Well-balanced natural style with fine bubbles and a dry, palate-cleansing finish.

"Perhaps with the same sort of structural power that Altamira reds possess, this sparkling rosé shows something immutable in body, lively texture, bracing acidity. The wine spent 18 months on the lees and this, no doubt, provides flavor complexities well beyond the fruit, but still the fruit predominates with intense aromas, substantial, and crisp, lively acidity. If what you’re looking for is a sparkler for carpaccio or roast beef, this is it."
- Descorchads 2018, 94 pts

"An impressive first release for this all-Pinot Noir bubbly from Paraje Altamira, aged for 18 months on its lees before disgorgement. It’s a creamy, bready, well-balanced style, with fine bubbles and a dry, palate-cleansing finish. A fizz to watch. 2017-22"
- Tim Atkin (Argentina Special Report 2017), 92 pts

"The 2022 Sparkling Rosé Ayni is 100% Pinot Noir from Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley. Golden in hue. The nose delivers mild cherry notes against a pastry backdrop. Dry and mousse-like in the mouth, the refreshing acidity and lees flavors make for an ethereal mouthfeel. Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley Mendoza - Joaquín Hidalgo"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (July 2023), 91 pts

"Light salmon pink. Aromatically effusive of orchard fresh red cherries. Bright and lively on the attack, this is a sparkling wine that offers good depth of red cherry seamlessly integrated with freshly baked bread notes. Pure with good finesse, this is a wine with enough substance to pair with red meats. 100% Pinot Noir from 10 year old vines in the Ayni vineyard in the Paraje Altamira in the Uco Valley; aged 18 months on the lees."
- International Wine Review (Champagnes & Sparkling Wines for the Holidays: The Best of 2018), 91 pts

"The bouquet of this traditional method sparkling is fruit-forward, with strawberry and peach interwoven with subtle creamy aromas. The same notes repeat on the creamy palate, with tart cherry flavors. It has a long and fruity finish with refreshing fine bubbles. - Jesica VARGAS"
- Wine Enthusiast (February 2023), 90 pts

"A salmon color and aromas of orange peel and rubber form the opening on this rosé sparkler. A foamy mouthfeel is cut back and tempered by a bolt of citric acid, while this tastes briny and like citrus skins."
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine (September 2018), 88 pts