Elio Altare

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Country of Origin: Italy
Location: La Morra, Barolo
People: Silvia Altare, Owner & Winemaker | Tes Cyo, Assistant Winemaker
Viticulture: Practicing Organic

Items

Elio Altare 2024 Barbera d'Alba DOC Login WS 89 AG 90 In Stock
Elio Altare 2024 Dolcetto d'Alba DOC Login WS 88 In Stock
Elio Altare 2020 'Unoperuno' Barolo DOCG Login WA 95 In Stock
Elio Altare 2021 'Unoperuno' Barolo DOCG Login WS 95 AG 97 <1 Case
Elio Altare 2022 'Unoperuno' Barolo DOCG Login AG 94 In Stock
Elio Altare 2022 Barolo DOCG Login AG 91 In Stock
Elio Altare 2019 Barolo Riserva, Cerretta Vigna Bricco, DOCG Login WS 95 AG 96 In Stock
Elio Altare 2022 Barolo, Arborina, DOCG Login AG 93 In Stock
Elio Altare 2021 Barolo, Cannubi, DOCG Login WS 95 AG 96 <1 Case
Elio Altare 2022 Barolo, Cannubi, DOCG Login AG 94 In Stock

Below the hilltop town of La Morra and above Annunziata, lay the 5 hectares that make up the Altare Vineyard, which has been planted and maintained by the family since 1948. But the story is not all bucolic: the owner/winemaker, Elio Altare, now renowned for being a major innovator in the region, almost lost all claim to the winery for his rebellious winemaking views.

Elio was at the forefront of the period in Barolo when traditional, regional winemaking collided head-first with a new generation’s desire for modernity. After a trip to Burgundy in the 1970s, Elio returned with new visions of modernizing the family winery--which meant replacing the large aging barrels with smaller French barriques. His father did not share his vision, and the tension culminated when Elio took a chainsaw to his father’s old barrels. He was banned from the winery until his father’s death in 1985. Since he has regained control, he has implemented organic agriculture, the use rotary fermenters and short macerations and he has employed small barriques for aging.

Elio’s focus is on simple and natural wines without chemicals, fertilizers, or pesticides. He bought two cows to create manure, which is all he uses for fertilization. He uses only indigenous yeasts and spontaneous malolactic fermentation, and the wines are not filtered or fined. He adds nothing that might change the color or texture, and he uses stainless steel tanks and clean barriques. Basically, these are unmitigated wines that express the nature of the grapes and place they came from.

Elio Altare is a family affair with Elio’s daughters, Silvia and Elena, representing the next generation. Elena studied enology, and Silvia studied Economics.

Media Links
Vinousmedia.com: Portraits in Nebbiolo - 1984-2004
Winegeeks: Winery of the Month Elio Altare
Guildsomm: The Wines of Barolo and Barbaresco (features Silvia Altare)

Reviews

  • Elio Altare 2020 'Unoperuno' Barolo DOCG
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 95 (4/4/2024)
    The Elio Altare 2020 Barolo Unoperuno leads with floral aromas of crushed rose and lilac and then continues to rich fruit with dark currant and plum. Oak toast or baking spice appears on the nose, but it also defines the palate. It shows a softness or plushness that is rare to Nebbiolo, and the tannins are already quite silky and approachable. The blend of fruit this year is Arborina (in La Morra), Cannubi (in Barolo), Pernano (in Castiglione Falletto), Sarmassa (in Barolo) and Cerretta (in Serralunga d'Alba). This is a limited release of 1,100 bottles.
  • Elio Altare 2024 Barbera d'Alba DOC
    The Wine Spectator
    Rating: 89 (2/9/2026)
    Perfumed, this red displays cherry and raspberry flavors. Slightly candied in a good way, with a juicy profile and chalky feel on the moderate finish. Drink now. 1,250 cases made, 420 cases imported.
  • Elio Altare 2021 Barolo, Cannubi, DOCG
    The Wine Spectator
    Rating: 95 (4/30/2026)
    This is rich and juicy, boasting cherry, raspberry, orange peel, licorice, sandalwood, tar, iron and toasty oak aromas and flavors. There’s intensity and ripeness midpalate, with a warm, lingering aftertaste. Stylish and graceful. Best from 2029 through 2045. 125 cases made, 40 cases imported.
  • Elio Altare 2019 Barolo Riserva, Cerretta Vigna Bricco, DOCG
    The Wine Spectator
    Rating: 95 (4/30/2026)
    A light touch of new oak lends cinnamon, vanilla and sandalwood accents, with core flavors of cherry, currant, rose, tar, green tea and eucalyptus. Detailed and harmonious, offering a smooth texture and excellent length. Best from 2027 through 2045. 500 cases made, 150 cases imported.
  • Elio Altare 2021 'Unoperuno' Barolo DOCG
    The Wine Spectator
    Rating: 95 (4/30/2026)
    A bright, fresh, cherry-infused red, with hints of raspberry, tar, iron and toasty oak. Shuts down pretty quickly, leaving a lightly chewy feel, but there’s plenty of stuffing and ripe red fruit. Best from 2030 through 2049. 125 cases made, 40 cases imported.
  • Elio Altare 2024 Dolcetto d'Alba DOC
    The Wine Spectator
    Rating: 88 (12/29/2025)
    Juicy black cherry, blackberry and violet flavors are accented by earth and black pepper in this intense red. Well-structured, balanced and long, with grip. Drink now through 2032. 1,500 cases made, 500 cases imported.
  • Elio Altare 2022 Barolo, Cannubi, DOCG
    Vinous
    Rating: 94 (1/20/2026)
    The 2022 Barolo Cannubi shows the pedigree of this great site. Deep, layered and sumptuous int he glass, the Cannubi offers terrific textural richness and resonance, with fine energy and delineation to match. Dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, espresso and cloves build effortlessly through the midpalate and into the voluptuous, silky finish.
  • Elio Altare 2022 'Unoperuno' Barolo DOCG
    Vinous
    Rating: 94 (1/20/2026)
    The 2022 Barolo Unoperuno offers up sweet red-toned fruit, sweet spice, mint, blood orange and new leather, showing all the natural richness of the year. Ripeness is pushed forward, and yet all the elements are so well balanced. The blend of vineyard sites works well in tempering some of the more exuberant qualities of 2022. The Unoperuno is the most overtly ripe of the Altare wines. Most of the fruit is from Cannubi, Cerretta and Arborina, with smaller bits from Sorano and Bricco.
  • Elio Altare 2022 Barolo, Arborina, DOCG
    Vinous
    Rating: 93 (1/20/2026)
    The 2022 Barolo Arborina is laced with crushed flowers, vibrant red-toned fruit, mint, white pepper, orange peel and dried herbs. In 2022, the ARborina is a bit more explosively fruity than it usually is, and yet all the elements are very nicely put together. High-toned aromatics are evident. Most notably, the biting tannins that are typical of this site have been tempered somewhat, making the 2022 a relatively accessible young Barolo in this range.
  • Elio Altare 2022 Barolo DOCG
    Vinous
    Rating: 91 (1/20/2026)
    The 2022 Barolo is a racy, juicy wine that will drink well on release. A burst of sweet red-toned fruit, new leather, rose petal, blood orange and sweet spice races across the palate. This fruity, forward Barolo will drink well for another decade or more. Vineyard sites are Sarmassa, Bricco Ambrogio, Sorano and Pernanno. This is so drinkable.
  • Elio Altare 2021 'Unoperuno' Barolo DOCG
    Vinous
    Rating: 97 (1/7/2025)

    The 2021 Barolo Unoperuno is fabulous. Silky tannins and lifted, beautifully articulated aromatics give the 2021 tons of allure. Deep and yet also translucent, the 2021 is an absolute delight. It is one of the best editions of this wine I have tasted. Cedar, blood orange, new leather and rose petal add an exotic flair. Unoperuno is a rare Barolo made from hand-destemmed fruit. It remains among the most distinctive wines in all of Piedmont.

  • Elio Altare 2021 Barolo, Cannubi, DOCG
    Vinous
    Rating: 96 (1/7/2025)

    The 2021 Barolo Cannubi is a pretty potent wine. Then again, Altare's Cannubi emerges from a purely south-facing section of the vineyard. Dark cherry/plum fruit, cloves, licorice, new leather and incense are dialed up. This is an especially virile Barolo with a ton of character.

  • Elio Altare 2019 Barolo Riserva, Cerretta Vigna Bricco, DOCG
    Vinous
    Rating: 96 (1/10/2023)

    The 2019 Barolo Riserva Cerretta Vigna Bricco exudes depth and intensity from the very first taste. Black cherry, plum, graphite, spice, lavender and mocha build as the Cerretta shows off its personality.

  • Elio Altare 2024 Barbera d'Alba DOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 90 (1/20/2026)

    The 2024 Barbera d'Alba is a total delight. Vibrant red cherry fruit, new leather, licorice, spice and lavender are pushed forward, with a kiss of French oak that frames the close. Altare's Barbera offers an attractive mix of bold fruit and brisk acidity. It's the best of the entry-level offerings.