Wine Country: Italy

Wine Subregion: Piemonte

Wine Sub-subregion: Langhe

Wine Varietal: Nebbiolo

Altare needs no introduction here but Giarborina might- it’s a ‘Super Langhe Nebbiolo’ made entirely from Arborina vines aged in small barrels.  It’s succulent, savory and a wonderful 2016.  

Silvia Altare is truly hitting her stride.  Now firmly and confidently in control of one of the most seminal properties in all of Barolo The Barolo Classico, a 10,000 bottle production coming from Altare vines in La Morra, Roddi, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d'Alba and Barolo, is the winery’s calling card.  Class in the glass!  And what to do with my 12-bottle allocation of Elio Altare Barolo Arborina 2020?  It’s a dark, brooding wine that Silvia calls the best she’s made since taking over this Annunziata property.  The vines are contiguous to Tiziana Settimo’s parcel of Rocche dell’Annuziata, but across the street and sloping up to Altare’s patio.  Open a bottle of the Barolo now- just to see- but keep your Arborina in a dark, cool place and let it come together a year or so before investigating further.