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Red dry
Elio Altare Arborina Barolo DOCG 2021 - an elegant and refined Barolo wine made from carefully selected Nebbiolo grapes grown in the famous La Morra region, in the prestigious Arborina vineyard.
Elio Altare Arborina Barolo 2021 captivates with its aromatic complexity - dominated by notes of red cherries, rose petals, licorice, spices and tobacco. The taste is perfectly balanced, with a firm tannin structure, elegant acidity and a long, mineral aftertaste.
The grapes are hand-picked in late September - early October only from the Arborina vineyard in the town of La Morra - famous for its southern exposure and calcareous clay soil, which gives the wine its elegance. The grapes are fermented in small tanks using natural yeasts. Maceration lasts about 4-5 days - much shorter than in traditional Barolo (where it can last up to 30-40 days). This shorter contact with the skins allows for softer tannins and more pronounced fruitiness. The wine is transferred to French oak barrels (used or new), where malolactic fermentation occurs naturally. The wine is aged for 24 months in French oak barrels. After aging, the wine is unfiltered or minimally filtered to preserve its natural character. The wine is often further aged in the bottle for another 12-18 months before being released.
Patiekti 16-18 °C temperatūros prie raudonos mėsos patiekalų, žvėrienos, brandintų sūrių, rizoto su miško grybais/trumais.
The Elio Altare 2021 Barolo Arborina shows sweet spice and cinnamon from 24 months in barrique with 20% new oak. This adds nice contouring to expertly ripened fruit, with generous cherry, black plum and cassis. Those fruity tones complement other aromas of spice, licorice and tar. Arborina always shows a classical side of Nebbiolo, not too strong and not too lean. This comes from the historic Altare family vineyard in front of the winery in La Morra. Production is 5,200 bottles.
Elio Altare – the architect of modern Barolo and a legendary figure in winemaking
Elio Altare is one of the most influential and visionary personalities in the Barolo region, widely regarded as the driving force behind the modern approach to Barolo winemaking. The revolution he inspired in Piedmont not only transformed the local wine style, but also helped secure Barolo’s place among the world’s elite wine regions.
From tradition to modernity: the path to a new Barolo
As a young man, Elio Altare travelled to Burgundy, where he encountered a radically different philosophy of winemaking:
Upon returning to La Morra in Piedmont, Elio decided to implement these ideas in his father’s winery, despite strong family opposition. Wine lore recounts that after a serious conflict with his father Giovanni, Elio famously destroyed the old barrels with a chainsaw—symbolically severing ties with the old system.
Revolutionary methods and uncompromising dedication
Elio Altare stood out not only for his ideas, but also for his almost obsessive commitment to quality:
At the time, the techniques he introduced were unprecedented in Barolo:
These methods resulted in wines that could be enjoyed earlier, yet retained depth, structure, and longevity—a clear expression of modern elegance and quality.
A vision carried forward: Silvia and Elena Altare
Today, the estate is led by Elio’s daughters:
Though generational transition is never simple, the daughters have inherited Elio’s determination and character, and their innovations are already beginning to bear fruit.
Winemaking as a calling—even in difficult years
Unlike large Barolo producers who can afford to skip challenging vintages, Elio Altare always had to extract the maximum from every harvest. His philosophy is summed up in his own words:
“Difficult vintages reveal the true talent of a winemaker. In great years, everyone can make good wine.”
