Elio Altare
Elio Altare is universally acknowledged to be one of the world's greatest winemakers. Altare was a leader of the revolution in cellar and vineyard technique in the Barolo zone; among his many now-commonplace innovations were the use of rotary fermenters, a short maceration period, and the use of small barriques for aging. The resulting wines, from Dolcetto to Barbera to Barolo, are often considered to be the ultimate expressions of the soft, fragrant and lush qualities characteristic of the commune of La Morra, and today ALtare is mentor to many of the younger generation of La Morra barolisti including Mauro Veglio, Mauro Molino, and the Revello brothers - his influence even extends to northern Ghemme where he lends advice to the Ioppa family.
Elio owns 5 hectares and rents four more, planted in the ratio 40 percent Nebbiolo, 30 percent Dolcetto, 25 percent Barbera and 5 percent Cabernet Sauvingon. The best of the local vineyards each comprise their own amphitheatre, south or south-east facing slopes at 280 metres above sea level on a sandy, tufaceous, marly soil. Elio Altare has vines in two of those: 1.5 ha of 50-plus year old vines in Arborina, and a small parcel in Brunate which he started renting in 1995. These vines are pruned very severely. Altare wants no more than 1.5 kilos of grapes per vine., And there are merely 5500 vines per hectare. This is the real key, Altare maintains, plus an organic approach to viticulture. "You can't make great wine without concentrated fruit."
Visit the Elio Altare website.
| wa | 94 |
| ws | 94 |
Lively ruby-red with garnet reflections. Warm and elegant taste with a finish of menthol and liquorice. Fruit and floral notes.
Pairings: Red meat and aged cheeses. more
BN#284669
Price:$133.00 $119.70 Save $13.30 (10%) SKUMS-IAT-125 |  |
| wa | 87 |
Color: Ruby red with violet reflections.
Taste: Warm, full bodied, with the right acidity, nice long taste of dark red fruits.
Nose: Aromas of violets and black cherry.
Serving suggestion: Aantipasto, pasta course, fatty cheese and salami. more
BN#411568
Price:$22.00 $19.80 Save $2.20 (10%) SKUMS-IAT-133 | |
| wa | 94 |
Color: Very intense ruby red with garnet reflections
Taste: warm, elegant, persistent with a long finish, soft tannins
Nose: Fresh scents of small red fruits, raspberry, redcurrant and wild roses that evolve into liquorice and spice notes. more
BN#443545
Price:$83.00 $74.70 Save $8.30 (10%) SKUMS-IAT-149 | |
| wa | 96 |
Colour: very intense ruby red with garnet reflections
Taste: warm and elegant, with mint and spicy notes
Nose: Fresh to the nose with mature fruits; prunes and blueberries, licorice and notes of aromatic herbs like eucalyptus more
BN#443582
Price:$117.00 $105.30 Save $11.70 (10%) SKUMS-IAT-150 | |
| wa | 90 |
Purple red in color, this Dolcetto has an intense nose with fruity aromas of black cherry, raspberry, and blueberry. It is dry and soft on the palate, rich and pleasant in the mouth, with austere tannins and a clean, pleasant finish. Suitable for every meal, this wonderfully easy drinking wine ... more
BN#445512
Price:$20.00 $18.00 Save $2.00 (10%) SKUMS-IAT-144 | |
| wa | 89 |
Intensely colored a dark ruby red, this Barbera's nose is characteristic of the grape: it is fine and elegant, with notes of blackberry and sweet spices. Clean, rich, and soft on the palate, it balances good tannins with lovely freshness and a long finish. An excellent pair for hors d'oeuvres, ... more
BN#445518
Price:$25.00 $22.50 Save $2.50 (10%) SKUMS-IAT-145 | |
All sizes are 750mL unless otherwise noted.
Vintages and ratings subject to change at any time.
All pricing and availability subject to change.
Vintages and ratings subject to change at any time.
All pricing and availability subject to change.