Elio Altare “Vigneto Arborina” Barolo DOCG 2019

The Elio Altare "Vigneto Arborina" Barolo DOCG 2019 Rosso is a dry red wine, produced from Nebbiolo grapes sourced from the Arborina vineyard in the La Morra commune of Barolo, Piedmont, Italy. This wine is a standout expression of the Nebbiolo grape, showcasing Elio Altare's commitment to crafting wines that reflect the terroir's unique characteristics through meticulous vineyard management and minimalist winemaking practices. The "Vigneto Arborina" exemplifies the modern style of Barolo, focusing on elegance, accessibility, and the purity of fruit, while still respecting the tradition and aging potential that Barolo is known for.

Grandfather Giuseppe (Giuseppe Altare) arrived in Lamorra in 1948. Altares comes from the small town of Doljani; the farm in Lamorra was acquired only in the last century. At the time, it owned five hectares of vineyards with Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto vines, as well as an orchard with peach trees, hazelnuts and apple trees. Those were the times when orchards were more profitable than vineyards. It was not an easy time - the post-war economic crisis continued for many years. Elio Altare and some friends decided to go beyond the borders of Piedmont to learn more about the art of winemaking and to draw from the experience of the most successful wine regions. The first trip to Burgundy in January 1976 was a real revelation, and when he returned home, Elio clearly understood that a serious change was needed. He wasn't afraid of that: Elio handled the chainsaw like a knight's sword. First he cut down the fruit trees, then chopped the large wooden barrels of the wine cellar into firewood. So he made room for his first new, much smaller French-style wooden barrel - barrique. Elio's father Giovanni did not understand him. The son's radical methods were too different from his way of thinking. Giovanni, who came from an older generation that had seen poorer times, was unable to make these decisions; he felt it was a crime against common sense and the Italian winemaking tradition. The disagreement was so great that Giovanni and Elio stopped talking. Giovanni died in 1985, tragically leaving Elio out of his will. But Elio continued to work and in time was able to buy back the family winery and vineyards from his brothers and sisters. Elio remained steadfast then, and he remains so to this morning. He stubbornly decided to change the direction of the winery's development and give the family wine a new character, favoring elegance, sophistication and a balanced taste. Elio achieved this by following a strict regime in his vineyards and introducing new vinification and aging techniques in the wine cellar. The farm is still family owned and operated. Under Elio's management, 10 hectares of vineyards are cultivated, producing an average of 70,000 bottles of wine per year. Since 2003, Elio's eldest daughter Silvia has been working alongside her father, while the youngest, Elena, has moved to Germany, where she runs a wine import company.

On the nose, the “Vigneto Arborina” Barolo 2019 offers a captivating bouquet of red cherries, fresh roses, and hints of mint, complemented by delicate notes of vanilla and licorice stemming from its aging in French oak barrels. The palate is met with a harmonious balance of firm tannins and vibrant acidity, leading to a complex and layered taste experience, with a persistent finish that echoes the aromatic finesse and the subtle earthiness characteristic of the Arborina terroir. This wine’s refined structure and depth of flavor showcase the exceptional craftsmanship behind its production.

The elegance and balanced structure of the Elio Altare “Vigneto Arborina” Barolo DOCG 2019 make it an exquisite pairing for sophisticated dishes such as truffle risotto or roasted quail, where the wine’s aromatic complexity and tannic backbone can elevate the dish’s flavors. It also pairs beautifully with aged cheeses, like Parmigiano-Reggiano, where the nutty and savory qualities of the cheese harmonize with the wine’s depth and nuance, creating a truly memorable culinary pairing.