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 2022 Barbera d'Alba DOC Login WS 89 <1 Case
Elio Altare 2023 Barbera d'Alba DOC Login — In Stock
Elio Altare 2022 Dolcetto d'Alba DOC Login AG 89 WS 90 In Stock
Elio Altare 2023 Dolcetto d'Alba DOC Login — In Stock
Elio Altare 2020 'Unoperuno' Barolo DOCG Login WA 95 In Stock
Elio Altare 2020 Barolo DOCG Login WA 93 In Stock
Elio Altare 2018 Barolo Riserva, Cerretta Vigna Bricco, DOCG Login WA 94 In Stock
Elio Altare 2020 Barolo, Arborina, DOCG Login WA 94 In Stock
Elio Altare 2020 Barolo, Cannubi, DOCG Login WA 95 <1 Case

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 2022 Dolcetto d'Alba DOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 89 (1/4/2024)

    The 2022 Dolcetto d'Alba is bright, floral and full of fruit, with notes of succulent red cherry/plum, spice, new leather and licorice. Medium in body and refined, the 2022 is surprisingly classic given the warm, dry conditions of the year. It's a fine effort from Altare.

  • Elio Altare 2022 Barbera d'Alba DOC
    The Wine Spectator
    Rating: 89 (4/30/2024)

    A bright, fleshy red, this boasts cherry, plum, earth and toasty oak flavors. Balanced and fresh, with a moderately long finish. Drink now through 2027.

  • Elio Altare 2022 Dolcetto d'Alba DOC
    The Wine Spectator
    Rating: 90 (4/30/2024)

    Packed with succulent cherry, boysenberry and hints of licorice and black pepper, this red is harmonious and expressive. Echoes the fruit and spice elements on the finish. Drink now. 240 cases imported.

  • Elio Altare 2020 Barolo, Cannubi, DOCG
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 95 (4/4/2024)
    The Elio Altare 2020 Barolo Cannubi takes a modernist approach to the MGA with some oak spice, tar and licorice that surrounds firm, crisp cherry and red fruit. There is a combination of fruit and oak spice that gives this wine staying power, texture and lift and then folds over the palate with richness and pretty volume. It ages in barrique for 24 months with 20% new oak. A mere 1,400 bottles were created.
  • 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 2020 Barolo, Arborina, DOCG
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 94 (4/4/2024)
    The Elio Altare 2020 Barolo Arborina makes a bright first impression with lots of cherry fruit, cranberry and tart berry nuances. It offers underripe flavors that are much appreciated in a hot vintage such as this. A touch of mineral adds sharpness in the form of wet stone or petrichor. The Arborina showcases classic Nebbiolo flavors, with good volume, velvety tannins and apparent freshness.
  • Elio Altare 2020 Barolo DOCG
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 93 (4/4/2024)
    Showing bright fruit freshness and energy, the Elio Altare 2020 Barolo is packed with cherry, wild currant, dried apricot and orange peel. The wine offers volume and texture, more so than your standard Barolo, with soft layers and pretty accessibility. It ages in used barrique for 24 months. There is a hint of butter biscuit too. The tannins are almost resolved, and you don't need to wait long to open one of the 13,000 bottles made.
  • Elio Altare 2018 Barolo Riserva, Cerretta Vigna Bricco, DOCG
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 94 (4/4/2024)
    The Elio Altare 2018 Barolo Riserva Cerretta (with fruit from the Vigna Bricco) has lots of dark blackberry that is complemented by spicy oak, all to large effect. That oak continues to the palate and the tannins (mostly oak tannins) with toasted spice, nutmeg and vanilla bean. The fruit condition is good, and subtle signs of evolution have begun. Only 4,200 bottles were made.