Elio Altare Barolo DOCG 2021

Elio Altare Barolo DOCG 2021 is a dry red wine produced from Nebbiolo grapes in the prestigious Barolo DOCG region of Piedmont in north-western Italy. The wine is crafted by Elio Altare, using traditional Nebbiolo grapes from vineyards spread across Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba and La Morra, then matured for 24 months in French barriques to lend structure and depth. The use of barrique and careful viticulture reflects a modern sensibility that softens the Nebbiolo’s naturally assertive character while preserving its regional identity.

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, this Barolo reveals refined aromas of red berries, wild raspberry and redcurrant, accompanied by subtle notes of spice, cedar and a hint of dark chocolate. On the palate, it is warm and elegant, with a silky texture and soft, well-integrated tannins supporting flavors of cherry, dark plum, gentle licorice, and a touch of leather and new oak. The finish is long and persistent, with a refined balance between fruit, spice and tannic structure — a perfect example of harmony and finesse in a young Barolo.

This wine pairs beautifully with rich red meat dishes — think grilled steak, braised beef or venison — and with aged cheeses. It also shines alongside traditional Italian pasta dishes with ragù or mushroom sauces, where its acidity and complexity elevate hearty flavours.