Elio Altare

Ruby red, lively, slightly spicy bouquet with the typical almond and sour cherry aromas. Juicy, fresh and accessible in taste. SUPERIORE.DE

Red berries, fresh flowers and spices on the nose, fresh fruit and silky tannins on the palate. This delicious Barbera is best enjoyed in its youth. SUPERIORE.DE

"L'Insieme" is a small but concrete project of oeno-solidarity. Only seven winegrowers from the Langhe region have come together to support concrete solidarity projects every year with part of the proceeds. 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), wine producers support solidarity projects around the world with 5 euros per bottle. To date, almost 500,000 euros have been donated in this way and a total of 42 major projects have been supported.

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

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

"A blend of 60% Barbera and 40% Nebbiolo, the 2012 Langhe La Villa sees 18 months in new oak for extra richness and a beautifully plush style. Soft and luscious tones open the bouquet and the wine transitions seamlessly from dark fruit to savory spice. The tannins are round, ripe and well managed." Robert Parker

"The 2012 La Villa, a blend of 60% Larigi Barbera and 40% Arborina Nebbiolo, is superb. Wonderfully alive and nuanced, the 2012 races across the palate with beautifully layered fruit and fabulous overall balance. Dark red cherry, plum, spice and new leather notes meld together in the glass. As is typically the case, the Barbera gives richness and mid-palate, while the Nebbiolo is mostly felt in the wine's aromatics and structure." Antonio Galloni

Langhe Giàrborina (formerly Arborina) smells silky and nuanced, in the glass red cherries, blackberries and meadow flowers. A magnificent Nebbiolo, perfectly balanced, captivatingly elegant and with a promising future. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2012 Langhe Giàrborina is a reincarnation of the wine previously known as Langhe Arborina. Because a Langhe appellation wine cannot be named by its vineyard name (like Barolo can), Elio Altare was told to remove the name Arborina. In a clever twist, he renamed it "giàrborina" that is loosely translated as "formally Arborina." This is a pure expression of Nebbiolo that is graceful and elegant with bright berries and pressed flowers. It is streamlined and tight in the mouth with lingering flavors of licorice, spice and toasted nut." Robert Parker

"Sweet red-fleshed berries, orange peel. tobacco, mint and crushed flowers come together in a very pretty wine that captures the essence of this La Morra site." Antonio Galloni

Langhe Giàrborina (formerly Arborina) smells silky and nuanced, in the glass red cherries, blackberries and meadow flowers. A magnificent Nebbiolo, perfectly balanced, captivatingly elegant and with a promising future. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2015 Langhe Giàrborina reveals a soft and velvety disposition that is enhanced by layers of fruit, spice and smoke. There is a note of candied cherry or dried blackberry that serves to remind you that this was a warm growing season. The wine is executed in an up-front or accessible style that makes it perfect for grilled meats or succulent meatloaf." Robert Parker

"The 2015 Langhe Giarborina, Altare's 100% Nebbiolo, exudes energy, tension and class. At this early stage, it is quite primary, which is not surprising for a young Giarborina. Readers will have to give the 2015 at least a few years in bottle to allow it to flesh out." Antonio Galloni

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 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

"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

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, pure Barbera Larigi is a dream and is unfortunately still underestimated. Plum, cherry, some chocolate and leather caress the palate, the wine flows into a long and fresh finish and has us completely inspired! SUPERIORE.DE

"Altare's 2016 Larigi is a total stunner. Rich and explosive on the palate, with tremendous fruit richness, the 2016 is positively stellar. Succulent dark cherry, plum, chocolate, spice and new leather build as this sexy Barbera shows off its super-distinctive personality. As delicious as the Larigi is today, it also needs a number of years to be at its best. Indeed, Larigi boasts one of the most impressive track records in Piedmont. The 2016 will soon take its place as one of the greatest Larigis ever made. It is every bit that special." Vinous

Langhe Giàrborina (formerly Arborina) smells silky and nuanced, in the glass red cherries, blackberries and meadow flowers. A magnificent Nebbiolo, perfectly balanced, captivatingly elegant and with a promising future. SUPERIORE.DE

"Seeing a short maceration time and only a brief aging period in barrique, the 2016 Langhe Giàrborina offers a rich, plummy and soft approach. The wine is ready to drink right out of the gate with a veal lasagna and bechamel sauce." Robert Parker

"The 2016 Langhe Giarborina is another breathtaking wine from Altare. Soaring aromatics and finely knit fruit are the signatures of an exceptional vintage in which the Altare family captured all the potential of the year. A regal, aristocratic wine, the 2016 has it all. Polished tannins add to the wine's considerable appeal. Above all else, the 2016 Giarborina is a wine of exceptional balance. There is so much to like." Vinous

Dark, concentrated ruby. In the nose plums, mocha, smoke, menthol, spices and some new leather. Clear in the drink, muscular and broad-shouldered. Despite its fullness, it is always precise and clear, the tannins are smooth. The personality of this Barolo from the top locations La Morra, Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga d'Alba inspires us until the long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lustrous ruby. Finely spiced raspberry nose. Elegant, juicy palate and fragrant finish with wonderful tannins. Precise and finely built." Jancis Robinson

"The 2015 Barolo is an absolutely glorious wine. Sensual, silky and polished, the 2015 has so much to offer. Bright red berry fruit is nicely complemented by an array of floral and spiced notes that add nuance. Polished tannins add to the wine's considerable near-term appeal, but the straight Barolo also has a track record here of aging exceptionally well. Vineyard sites include Pernanno, Sarmassa, Rochettevino and Cerretta. Don't miss it." Vinous

"Elio Altare gives me a bit of his winemaker's wisdom: "Wine is like a marriage—it needs to be consummated early." With that in mind, the 2015 Barolo is engineered for near- and medium-term drinking with lots of plump fruit that jumps right out. The wine is open and inviting. Dark fruit is followed by warm tones of tilled earth and cured tobacco. Grapes are harvested from different parcels in four vineyard passes. In 2015, the team had the time to wait for each parcel to mature properly because the harvest was relaxed and spread over more comfortable timing." Robert Parker

Arborina 2015 presents itself opulent, centered and almost complete. Dark bouquet of cherries and blackberries, perfectly connected to the wood on the palate. A perfectly structured Barolo with harmony and richness. Powerful and unstoppable he storms into a terrific final, showing much liveliness and freshness! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2015 Barolo Arborina is soft, pretty and sensual. The warmth of the vintage has softened the typically hard young Arborina tannins, which in turn gives the wine more near-term approachability than is often the case. Floral, cedar and tobacco notes add an attractive upper register to this very pretty and nuanced Barolo from Altare." Vinous