Elio Altare, Barolo ‘Classico’ 2016

Critics:

“The Elio Altare 2016 Barolo is a blend of fruit from Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, La Morra and Novello. Some 10,800 bottles were released. This is a classic interpretation of Nebbiolo that offers beautiful intensity and balance. The bouquet is pure, elegant and direct with highly distinguishable aromas of wild cherry, tobacco, earth and licorice root. It sees two years in used barrique, and this time in wood contributes to the volume and depth of the palate. The wine is almost ready to drink out of the gate, or comfortably within the next 10-year window.” – 94 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 

Producer:

From their base in the tiny hamlet of Annunziata the Altare family produce some of Piemonte’s greatest wines. The production relies on 10 hectares of organically farmed vineyards centred on their La Morra property, but is also supplemented by great vineyards in Barolo (Cannubi), Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga (Cerretta). The modern incarnation of the winery started in late 1970’s with Elio taking a trip to Burgundy inspiring him to think how he could transfer the potential of his site to the bottle. Low yields, shorter macerations and less time in barrel where the things Elio took away from the visit and so began his journey. In the face of staunch tradition Elio green harvested, took a chainsaw to the old botte and introduced French barriques which bought much attention, but the desired result. The wines gained the perfume, elegance and finesse that we now take for granted but would have been like a bolt of lightning at the time. Fast forward 40 years now with Elio’s daughter Silvia at the helm the wines are now considered to be modern classics.