Elio Altare

Altares Dolcetto d'Alba is very pretty every year and full of varietal blue and violet fruits, almonds, liquorice and lavender nuances. Brilliant ruby red, juicy, fresh and approachable on the palate - the purity of the flavours is superb and the floral notes give it a lovely zest. An expressive Dolcetto with a lot of class and shine. SUPERIORE.DE

Altares Barbera d'Alba is supple, juicy and immediate, with an abundance of dark red and purple fruits, sweet spices and flowers. Silky and beautifully expressive in the glass, it will be a great pleasure to drink over the next few years with its lovely core of fruit and bracing acidity. SUPERIORE.DE

Clear, precise Nebbiolo with a bouquet of ripe cherries and subtle notes of tobacco. Polished on the palate, expansive and with silky tannin, the juicy fruit is straightforward and long. Pure and sophisticated drinking pleasure! SUPERIORE.DE

"L'Insieme" is a small but concrete project of eco-solidarity. Just seven winegrowers from the Langhe have come together to support concrete solidarity projects every year with a part of the yield. The members include Elio Altare, Gianfranco Alessandria, Giuliano Corino, Federico Grasso, Giulio e Paolo Morando, Lorenzo Revello and Mauro Veglio. Under the label of the same name (L'Insieme: together, together, together), the wine producers support solidarity projects all over the world with 5 euros per bottled wine. To date, almost 500,000 euros have been donated in this way and a total of 42 important projects have been supported.

The deep dark L'Insieme combines the typical grapes of the Langa (Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto) with the racy spiciness of the Cabernet. A wine with a firm, powerful structure, harmoniously rounded tannins, a delicate melt and a beautiful finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"L'Insieme" is a small but concrete project of eco-solidarity. Just seven winegrowers from the Langhe have come together to support concrete solidarity projects every year with a part of the yield. The members include Elio Altare, Gianfranco Alessandria, Giuliano Corino, Federico Grasso, Giulio e Paolo Morando, Lorenzo Revello and Mauro Veglio. Under the label of the same name (L'Insieme: together, together, together), the wine producers support solidarity projects all over the world with 5 euros per bottled wine. To date, almost 500,000 euros have been donated in this way and a total of 42 important projects have been supported.

The deep dark L'Insieme combines the typical grapes of the Langa (Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto) with the racy spiciness of the Cabernet. A wine with a firm, powerful structure, harmoniously rounded tannins, a delicate melt and a beautiful finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"L'Insieme" is a small but concrete project of eco-solidarity. Just seven winegrowers from the Langhe have come together to support concrete solidarity projects every year with a part of the yield. The members include Elio Altare, Gianfranco Alessandria, Giuliano Corino, Federico Grasso, Giulio e Paolo Morando, Lorenzo Revello and Mauro Veglio. Under the label of the same name (L'Insieme: together, together, together), the wine producers support solidarity projects all over the world with 5.16 euros per bottled wine.

In the past years, L'Insieme donated over half a million euros to forty-two different projects. Today they donate about 60,000 euros a year. Whether it is building a childcare facility for single mothers in Alba, funding the development of schools in Kenya or improving trails along the Tanaro River, the goal is to support national and international communities.

The deep dark L'Insieme combines the typical grapes of the Langa (Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto) with the racy spiciness of the Cabernet. A wine with a firm, powerful structure, harmoniously rounded tannins, a delicate melt and a beautiful finish. SUPERIORE.DE

A classically composed, perfect introduction to the Altare Nebbiolo from its own vineyards in Barolo, Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga d'Alba. The Elio Altare winery, with its modern imprint (use of barriques), has always been one of the producers whose Barolo seems less hard and brittle when young and rarely begs for more than 10 years of further bottle ageing.

Deep, dark fruit with a delicacy and complexity that only in the long finish brings the wonderfully fine-grained tannin and power to the palate that we love so much in wines. This immensely well-structured red from an excellent vintage is already a great pleasure early on and therefore does not necessarily become more accessible as it matures, but gains in size, complexity, elegance and finesse. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby with garnet glints. Fine, detached nose with notes of juicy raspberry, a little rose petal, and slightly liquorice. Gripping, gripping tannin, but shows itself very well integrated in the further course, good depth, long raspberry in the final." Falstaff

"The 2017 Barolo is absolutely impeccable and shows why Altare remains at the top of the pack. Silky, aromatic and alluring, the 2017 is exquisitely beautiful. It is a bit lighter in body than usual, but that is very much in keeping with the style of the year. Crushed flowers, sweet red berries and rose petal grace the silky finish. The straight Barolo isa blend of sites in La Morra, Castiglione Falletto and Novello." Vinous

"Representing a blend of fruit from Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, La Morra and Novello, the Elio Altare 2017 Barolo sets off the vintage on the right foot. Of course, 2017 delivered all kinds of extreme weather, from frost to dry heat, but this battle-ready Barolo emerges unscathed. Save for the high 15% alcohol content, this wine avoids the classic trappings of a hot vintage. The fruit is not dried out, nor is it jammy. Indeed, this wine shows better balance than most, with a lovely freshness to all that dark and luscious fruit." Robert Parker

La Villa a blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera grapes with a wide bouquet of sour cherries and violets, in whose taste all components are precisely measured. Good fruit, polished tannin, fine acidity and a spicy finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Langhe La Villa is a blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera. This plump, rich and ripe vintage is another good choice for a cheesy pasta dish with its 15% alcohol and solid acidity. The Barbera is what gives the wine its fleshy succulence and freshness, and the Nebbiolo adds the structure and the elegance. The finished product is opulent and dense." Robert Parker

"Opulent and oaky, broad and concentrated, offering vanilla, spice and chocolate notes. Balanced and vibrant, with a long, fruit-, spice- and tar-filled aftertaste." Wine Spectator

"The 2016 La Villa is a blend of 60% Nebbiolo and 40% Barbera, both from Arborina. In this vintage, the weight and texture of Barbera dominate, at least in the early going. Creamy and expansive on the palate, the 2016 La Villa has a lot to offer once it fully comes together. Silky and beautifully perfumed, the 2016 is already quite expressive. It will be interesting to see if time brings a bit more harmony, although the 2016 certainly seems to have a good bit of potential." Vinous

A classically composed, perfect introduction to the Altare Nebbiolo from its own vineyards in Barolo, Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga d'Alba. The Elio Altare winery, with its modern imprint (use of barrique), has always been one of those producers whose Barolo seems less hard and brittle when young and rarely begs for more than 10 years of further bottle ageing.

Deep, dark fruit with a delicacy and complexity that only in the long finish brings the wonderfully fine-grained tannin and power to the palate that we love so much in wines. This immensely well-structured red from an excellent vintage is already a great pleasure early on and therefore does not necessarily become more accessible as it matures, but gains in size, complexity, elegance and finesse. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Barolo is a gorgeous entry-level wine. Actually, it is an entry-level wine just in name. Racy and pliant, with terrific purity and fine balance, the 2018 is positively stellar. Crushed red berry fruit, flowers, mint, licorice and rose petal flesh out in this gorgeous, captivating Barolo from the Altare family. Vineyard sites are Sarmassa, Badarina and Novello." Vinous

"A classic expression from vintner Elio Altare and his talented team, the 2018 Barolo is an elegant and streamlined wine. It is made from a blend of fruit from various parcels in Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, La Morra and Novello. Aged in neutral barrique for 24 months, the wine shows a linear and focused personality with tart cherry, aniseed, crushed rock and blue flower." Robert Parker

The extremely juicy, single-varietal Barbera Larigi is a dream and unfortunately still underestimated. Plum, cherry, a little chocolate and leather caress the palate, the wine leads into a long and fresh finish and has completely thrilled us! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Langhe Larigi opens to rich and deeply saturated fruit. The wine shows generous tones of blackberry and syrupy crème de cassis and also imparts much of the soft, velvety texture of those fruits. This is a single-vineyard expression of Barbera from the Altare family estate in La Morra. Larigi finishes with contained alcohol, opulence and lots of rich varietal character over the medium-bodied finish." Robert Parker

La Villa is a blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera grapes with a wide bouquet of sour cherries and violets, in the taste of which all the components are precisely measured. Good fruit, polished tannin, fine acidity and a spicy finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2015 La Villa, Altare's Barbera/Nebbiolo blend, needs time to fully come together. The interplay of Barbera fruit with Nebbiolo aromatics and structure once again proves to be alluring. Sweet floral notes lead into cedar, anise and bright, red-toned fruits. Silky and energetic on the palate, the 2015 exudes freshness. What surprises me most is the wine's restraint, especially given the natural power of 2015." Antonio Galloni

The extremely juicy, single-varietal Barbera Larigi is a dream and unfortunately still underestimated. Plum, cherry, a little chocolate and leather caress the palate, the wine leads into a long and fresh finish and has completely thrilled us! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Larigi, 100% Barbera, is elegant and nuanced, but also quite reserved. Given the warm year, I expected to see a richer wine, but instead the 2019 is incredibly understated in bearing. Sweet floral and spice notes add inner perfume to a core of ripe red/purplish berry fruit." Vinous

"A pure expression of Barbera from the family's historic vineyards in La Morra, the Elio Altare 2019 Langhe Rosso Larigi shows dark color concentration and generous fruit weight with punchy aromas of plum, candied cherry and baked blackberry. The wine ages in barrique for 18 months to offer plenty of savory spice and toast. This is a release of only 1,400 bottles." Robert Parker

This wine is practically a Barolo, except for the fact that it is released a year earlier. Langhe Giàrborina draws its fruit from the top Arborina site in La Morra. Blackberries and plums are surrounded by smoke, tar and black liquorice in the most refined and elegant way. A magnificent, single-varietal Nebbiolo, impeccably balanced, impressively elegant and with a promising future. SUPERIORE.DE

"A pure expression of Nebbiolo (that is made like a Barolo but released one year earlier), the Elio Altare 2018 Langhe Giàrborina gives us a sneak peek of this cool vintage (and its performance in Arborina, La Morra, where this fruit is cultivated). Giàrborina is a richly saturated expression with dark fruit, plenty of blackberry, spice, tar and campfire ash. The wine shows that extra degree of color saturation and fruity concentration that is a hallmark of the Altare family. There is a touch of cedar or sweet oak on the finish." Robert Parker

This wine is practically a Barolo, except for the fact that it is released a year earlier. Langhe Giàrborina draws its fruit from the top Arborina site in La Morra. Blackberries and plums are surrounded by smoke, tar and black liquorice in the most refined and elegant way. A magnificent, single-varietal Nebbiolo, impeccably balanced, impressively elegant and with a promising future. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Langhe Giarborina pulses with energy and tension. Rose petal, crushed flowers, mint, chalk and dried herbs all run through this nervy, young Nebbiolo. The 2019 needs time, but it has plenty to offer." Vinous

"As envisaged by the Altare family, this terrific wine is always a bit richer and more concentrated than its peers in the Langhe Nebbiolo category. The Elio Altare 2019 Langhe Giàrborina is quite intentionally fashioned as a "Barolo" released one year early. That extra power and density is highlighted in this vintage. This lovely expression is redolent of black fruit, wild plum, tarry smoke and licorice." Robert Parker

Deep dark sparkling ruby with a fine garnet rim. On the nose, a colourful bouquet of black cherry, elderberry, graphite and a strong cassis note. On the powerful palate, the black fruits again, plus a wonderful balance and freshness with a picture-book tannin that further rounds off the perfect impression. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, medium dense ruby garnet. Very appealing, finely marked nose, opens with notes of fresh rose petals, plus goji berries and plums, diverse. Gripping tannin on the palate, grippy and savoury, fine raspberry fruit, a little drying on the final." Falstaff

"From the Altare family's historic cru that extends from right under the panoramic platform at the main house and the tasting room, comes this homegrown and classic wine. The 2017 Barolo Arborina opens to an immediate note of bold cherry and redcurrant that is lifted and pure. That fruit intensity is followed softly by leather, sweet tobacco and crushed flowers. Arborina offers terrific intensity and smoothing textural richness that embraces the concentrated style of the vintage." Robert Parker

"The 2017 Barolo Arborina is creamy, ample and sensual. In 2017, the flavor profile is a bit darker than usual, but all the elements are so impeccably balanced. A wine of total harmony and class, the 2017 dazzles right from the get go. There is a bit of French oak that needs time to integrate, but that won't be an issue, as these wines have a track record of aging at least a few decades with no problems." Vinous

Deep dark sparkling ruby with a fine garnet rim. On the nose, a colourful bouquet of black cherry, elderberry, graphite and a strong cassis note. On the powerful palate, the black fruits again, plus a wonderful balance and freshness with a picture-book tannin that further rounds off the perfect impression. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Barolo Arborina is a powerful, burly wine that is going to need a bit of time to soften the firm young Nebbiolo tannins. There is plenty of Arborina energy and tannin that comes alive with a bit of coaxing. Dark cherry, gravel, cloves and licorice give the 2018 a decidedly somber feel in this vintage." Vinous

"The 2018 Barolo Arborina is born close to home, in the sunrise-facing vineyard that starts just below the family house and winery. This pretty wine reveals a delicate embroidery of wild rose, rusted nail, spice and clove-dotted orange. Barrel aging is with 20% new oak for 24 months. The finish is long and linear, ending with a powerful 15% alcohol. This vintage saw 6,200 bottles released." Robert Parker

Firmly anchored in La Morra, Elio Altare has been vinifying a Barolo in Serralunga d'Alba on a rented plot for a few years, vinified and bottled separately. A fascinating and powerful Nebbiolo with elegant fruit and floral aromas. Full-bodied, juicy and long on the palate, the dense tannin structure is of remarkable elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, intense ruby garnet. Intense and inviting nose, of plums and rose petals, some truffle, fine leather notes. Substantial, deep tannin, shows notes of plums and pickled cherries, sweet melting unites the whole, fine spice in the finish." Falstaff

"Medium ruby. Concentrated cherry of great depth. Equal parts of energetic acidity and concentrated fruit that is truly à point. Finely chiselled tannins carrying the whole. Long, muscular finish that is super-elegant at the same time. Long and electrifying." Jancis Robinson

"The 2015 Barolo Riserva Cerretta Vigna Bricco is a bold and amply fleshed out expression with dried cherry, blackberry preserves, prune and more dried fruit at the back. The wine carries a 15% alcohol content, but in the case of this sunny and hot 2015 vintage, I feel that the fruit is more dried out as a result. With fruit from Serralunga d'Alba, you get a lot of brawn and muscle, with background tones of red brick and iron ore." Robert Parker

"The 2015 Barolo Riserva Cerretta Vigna Bricco is a dark, powerful wine that expresses the depth and gravitas of Serralunga in spades. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather, licorice and menthol all add to an impression of power and gravitas. Ample and creamy in feel, the 2015 has a lot to offer. This is the first vintage in which the Cerretta will be released as a Riserva, although in reality the wine has always been sold with the bottle age needed to qualify as a Riserva. In other words, the wine itself is unchanged from previous editions." Vinous

"L'Insieme" is a small but concrete project of eco-solidarity. Just seven winegrowers from the Langhe have come together to support concrete solidarity projects every year with a part of the yield. The members include Elio Altare, Gianfranco Alessandria, Giuliano Corino, Federico Grasso, Giulio e Paolo Morando, Lorenzo Revello and Mauro Veglio. Under the label of the same name (L'Insieme: together, together, together), the wine producers support solidarity projects all over the world with 5.16 euros per bottled wine.

In the past years, L'Insieme donated over half a million euros to forty-two different projects. Today they donate about 60,000 euros a year. Whether it is building a childcare facility for single mothers in Alba, funding the development of schools in Kenya or improving hiking trails along the Tanaro River, the goal is to support national and international communities.

The deep dark L'Insieme combines the typical grapes of the Langa (Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto) with the racy spiciness of the Cabernet. A wine with a firm, powerful structure, harmoniously rounded tannins, a delicate melt and a beautiful finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"L'Insieme" is a small but concrete project of eco-solidarity. Just seven winegrowers from the Langhe have come together to support concrete solidarity projects every year with a part of the yield. The members include Elio Altare, Gianfranco Alessandria, Giuliano Corino, Federico Grasso, Giulio e Paolo Morando, Lorenzo Revello and Mauro Veglio. Under the label of the same name (L'Insieme: together, together, together), the wine producers support solidarity projects all over the world with 5 euros per bottled wine. To date, almost 500,000 euros have been donated in this way and a total of 42 important projects have been supported.

The deep dark L'Insieme combines the typical grapes of the Langa (Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto) with the racy spiciness of the Cabernet. A wine with a firm, powerful structure, harmoniously rounded tannins, a delicate melt and a beautiful finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Firmly anchored in La Morra, Elio Altare has been vinifying a Barolo in Serralunga d'Alba on a rented plot for a few years, vinified and bottled separately. A fascinating and powerful Nebbiolo with elegant fruit, truffle, leather and floral aromas. Full-bodied, juicy and long on the palate, with a remarkably elegant tannin structure. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Barolo Riserva Cerretta Vigna Bricco is a fabulous wine in this range. Deep, powerful and explosive, the Cerretta melds together the power of Serralunga with the finesse of both the vintage and the house style. Notes of lavender, spice, menthol, licorice and gravel come together in this rich, concentrated Barolo." Vinous

"Here's a wine that, when tasted in context (within this group of releases of mostly 2018s), shows the undisputed star power of the classic 2016 vintage. The Elio Altare 2016 Barolo Riserva Cerretta Vigna Bricco sources its fruit from Serralunga d'Alba, and you can expect power, precision and elegance delivered in a threefold punch. This is a wine of depth and complexity with dark fruit, ferrous earth, black truffle and a lifted note of cranberry or candied cherry. On the palate, the wine is driven by the firmness of the tannins, the 15% alcohol and an ample sense of structure." Robert Parker

Barolo Cannubi is garnet red in colour with a scent of wild berries. The elegant fruity taste shows typical strong tannins and a great acidity. Great class with excellent storage potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"Shining ruby with a garnet shimmer. Very intense, seductive nose, full of ripe, dark cherries, forest raspberries, some rhubarb, very clear. Fine-meshed, dense tannin in many layers, very clear and straightforward, flows calmly along, after violets and raspberries, salty." Falstaff

"Of the new 2014 Barolo releases from Elio and Silvia Altare, I am most impressed by the 2014 Barolo Cannubi. This wine dances or flutters over the palate with fine-tuned aromas of wild rose, white cherry, autumnal leaf and campfire ash. The mouthfeel is stitched together with silken threads. Because so much fruit was lost due to difficult weather conditions and hail in 2014, only 1,200 bottles were produced." Robert Parker

"The 2014 Barolo Cannubi is sensual, polished and nuanced, but very much in the midweight style of the year. Fresh and vibrant, it has enough depth to drink well for another 20 years. The pedigree of Cannubi comes through in the wine's creamy, enveloping texture. Next to the other Barolos in the range, the Cannubi is defined by its silky tannins and beautifully layered feel – the qualities that make the best wines from this site so coveted." Antonio Galloni

Barolo Cannubi is garnet red in colour with a scent of wild berries. The elegant fruity taste shows typical strong tannins and a great acidity. Great class with excellent storage potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, medium-density garnet red. The nose is compact and attractive, with aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry and blackberry, and a hint of truffle at the back. Juicy and salty on the palate, charming, ripe raspberry note, opens with hearty, present tannin, sweet enamel that lasts long." Falstaff

"2013 Barolo Cannubi shows special intensity and verve that served as a hallmark for this classic vintage. The good news at the Altare winery is that the woman who leases out this parcel of Cannubi has renewed the contract, after heated negotiations, for six more years. That means that we can count on seeing this wine until 2024. This wine is absolutely distinguished by its fine and polished nature, but it feels firm and structured, even a bit fatter than expected, once it hits the palate. The effect is complete and generous. Wait a few moments and the wine takes a turn toward very floral and perfumed aromas." Robert Parker

"Lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. Plenty of sweet marasca cherry on the nose as well as the palate. A touch smoky too. Succulent fruit that closes up on the finish. Lovely, chewy tannins on the finish, but still a little austere and in need of further age." Jancis Robinson

"One of the firmer wines in this lineup. In 2013, the Cannubi is distinguished for its focus, tension and overall energy. Bright red stone fruit, blood orange, mint and sweet tobacco are all nicely pushed forward. Beams of focused, nervous tannins give the wine its shape and overall persistence. The lifted aromatics and translucent fruit are pure Cannubi. Even so, the 2013 needs time to come into its own. Today, it is decidedly nervous." Antonio Galloni