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. Elio owns 5 hectares and rents four more, planted in the ratio 40% Nebbiolo, 30% Dolcetto, 25% Barbera and 5% Cabernet Sauvingon.
Nebbiolo: AG, Wine Advocate 94 pts
"Altare’s 2004 Langhe Arborina is sublime. Made from Altare’s parcel in the Arborina vineyard and aged 12 months in oak, it presents a dazzling array of flowers, spices, ripe fruit and sweet toasted oak, all delicately woven into a soft-textured frame of extraordinary delicacy, with notable length on the palate, and fine, silky tannins to round out the finish. Hard to resist now, it will be even better with a few years of cellaring. The stunning 2004 Langhe Arborina is not to be missed."
