ELIO ALTARE

Dolcetto: WA 89 pts "The Dolcetto d’Alba is one of the better versions in the region, as it is again in 2007. Fragrant aromatics lead to refined dark red fruit as this silky, elegant Dolcetto opens up in the glass."

88 The 2006 Barbera d’Alba offers attractive dark cherries and plums on a medium-bodied frame. Drink this fresh, pleasing wine over the next year or two. (Oct. 2007) 88+ Full medium ruby. Very ripe, high-pitched nose hints at violet and beefsteak tomato; less fruity today than the dolcetto. Then juicy and firmly structured, with less obvious sweetness and fat to the flavors of black cherry and licorice. Showing its acidity today, as well as mocha and espresso notes. Interestingly, this displays a more roasted character than Altare's dolcetto from this very warm, rich vintage. I'd give this a year or two to sort itself out.  (Nov./Dec. 2007) Wine Advocate International Wine Cellars

A ?Super-Piedmont? Vina da Tavola blend of Barbera from Larigi, Nebbiolo from Arborina, Cabernet Sauvignon and Dolcetto. Deliciously cool blackcurrant fruits and lush, fine-grained tannins, giving this superb structure and balance. Barbera - 20%
Cabernet sauvignon - 40%
Dolcetto - 10%
Nebbiolo - 20%
Syrah - 5%
Petit Verdot - 5%

Deep, garnet red in color, this Arborina has a fine, complex nose with ample, deep aromas of ripe cherry, mint, pepper, and coffee. Dry on the palate with a warm, soft mouth-feel this Barolo is packed with rich flavors. Lusty and ripe tannins are in great balance in this harmonious wine with a great finish.
WA 89

91 Shows fabulous aromas of blackberry, chocolate and tea. Full-bodied, with silky, caressing tannins. Long and flavorful. Beautiful now.  (December 2007) 90+ Dark red. Perfumed aromas of currant, tobacco, blood orange, menthol and dried flowers. Round and juicy but in a rather cranky stage today, and not especially sweet. This shows a nebbiolo delicacy and good mid-palate energy, but today the dusty tannins are apparent. Offers a finishing note of tobacco leaf. (Nov./Dec. 2007) Wine Spectator International Wine Cellars 5 Stars Complex nose with lots of savoury plum, bay leaf and pepper.  Very positive impact on the palate and long, juicy development with fine tannin grip at the end.  Suavely elegant. (April 2008) Decanter

Denomination: LANGHE ROSSO Classification: DOC Production area: La Morra Cru: Larigi Vineyard extension: 0.90 Blend: Barbera - 100% Vineyard age (year of planting): 1948 Soil type: Calcarous Exposure: Various

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Taste Description

Dark ruby red in color, the Larigi has a very elegant nose layered with aromas of ripe berry, sweet spices and toasted oak wood. Warm and soft on the palate, its flavor is intense, with velvety tannins and a very long and pleasant finish.

WA 91

91 Intense aromas of blackberry and light vanilla follow through to a full-bodied palate, with a solid core of ripe fruit and caressing tannins. Long and pretty. Barbera. (December 2007) 92 Bright, dark ruby. Primary aromas of crunchy bitter cherry and licorice. Densely packed but juicy and penetrating, with terrific acidity and cut. This powerful barbera boasts an impressive inner core of fruit and a long, expanding aftertaste. (Nov. /Dec. 2007) Wine Spectator International Wine Cellars

90 Rich, opulent aromas of blackberry and dark chocolate lead to a full-bodied palate, with soft tannins and a long, delicious finish. This is a polished, generous red. Barbera and Nebbiolo.  (December 2007) 92 Good full ruby-red. Currant, blackberry, mocha, menthol and a note of sweet butter on the rather musky nose. Lush and sweet but vibrant, with excellent volume and flavor impact to the subtle flavors of cherry, spice, menthol and licorice. Boasts a compellingly silky texture framed and lifted by excellent energy. Finishes long and juicy. A very successful blend. (Nov./Dec. 2007) Wine Spectator International Wine Cellars

Altare’s 2003 Barolo reveals an elegant, yet firm personality in its expression of super-ripe red fruits, spices and menthol. It offers lovely depth and precision at this level, even if it understandably lacks some freshness. Still, it is a wine with an enviable track record and should drink well for another decade or so. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2018  WA 90 WS 90

he 2003 Barolo Arborina presents a livelier color than the normale, along with gorgeous red fruit, menthol and spice overtones that carry through to the finish. This elegant, refined Barolo offers superb balance in a style that captures the essence of the vintage in its additional weightiness, but without compromising the integrity of the vineyard Altare has single-handedly made among the most recognized in Barolo. It is one of the highlights of the vintage, but will require a few years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2021. Elio Altare’s wines represent the finest of the artisanal tradition, so it can hardly be surprising that he has once again produced some of the vintage’s most compelling Barolos. In fact, with his 2003 Barolos Altare shows just how far ahead of the pack he is. Now that he is officially “retired,” Altare is even more philosophical than in the past. “At the end of the day 50% of what makes a wine great is luck,” says Altare, in his characteristic self-deprecating style. If that is the case Altare must surely be one of the luckiest growers on the planet. “This is my 40th harvest, yet each vintage has a unique story to tell, which is what makes wine so fascinating. In 2003 we did four Nebbiolo harvests from the 7th to the 28th of September. The earlier harvests gave us some freshness while the later harvests provided more richness and body.” Altare’s 2004s are potentially profound, and his cellar also holds some of the finest 2005 Barolos I have tasted so far.
WA 92  WS 92 Altare’s 2003 Barolo reveals an elegant, yet firm personality in its expression of super-ripe red fruits, spices and menthol. It offers lovely depth and precision at this level, even if it understandably lacks some freshness. Still, it is a wine with an enviable track record and should drink well for another decade or so.
only 6 btl available
WS 92

he 2003 Barolo Arborina presents a livelier color than the normale, along with gorgeous red fruit, menthol and spice overtones that carry through to the finish. This elegant, refined Barolo offers superb balance in a style that captures the essence of the vintage in its additional weightiness, but without compromising the integrity of the vineyard Altare has single-handedly made among the most recognized in Barolo. It is one of the highlights of the vintage, but will require a few years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2021. Elio Altare’s wines represent the finest of the artisanal tradition, so it can hardly be surprising that he has once again produced some of the vintage’s most compelling Barolos. In fact, with his 2003 Barolos Altare shows just how far ahead of the pack he is. Now that he is officially “retired,” Altare is even more philosophical than in the past. “At the end of the day 50% of what makes a wine great is luck,” says Altare, in his characteristic self-deprecating style. If that is the case Altare must surely be one of the luckiest growers on the planet. “This is my 40th harvest, yet each vintage has a unique story to tell, which is what makes wine so fascinating. In 2003 we did four Nebbiolo harvests from the 7th to the 28th of September. The earlier harvests gave us some freshness while the later harvests provided more richness and body.” Altare’s 2004s are potentially profound, and his cellar also holds some of the finest 2005 Barolos I have tasted so far.
WA 92  WS 92

Very intense aromas of ripe fruit and fresh-cut flowers. Turns to nectarine. Full-bodied, with very polished yet abundant tannins. Long and caressing. Balanced and pretty. Best after 2011. 1,415 cases made.  WS 92

Lots of blackberry, plum and raspberry character. Full-bodied, with lovely fruit and firm yet ripe tannins. Long and flavorful, yet reserved. A racy wine. Best after 2012. 555 cases made.
WS 92  ,  WA 95