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Red dry
Elio Altare Cannubi Barolo DOCG 2021 - Born from the legendary Cannubi cru Barolo slope, "Elio Altare Cannubi" is one of the most prestigious wines of this farm, distinguished by its limited quantity (about 1,200 bottles). It is an elegant and expressive Nebbiolo grape wine, combining a delicate floral bouquet, fruit purity and the depth of noble spices.
The aroma reveals rose blossoms, cherries, plums, cloves and licorice, accompanied by notes of soft leather and incense. The taste is warm, rich, but at the same time elegant, with silky tannins and a long-lasting aftertaste.
The Cannubi slope is famous for its combination of marl, clay and sand, which gives the wine structure and mineral freshness. The grapes are harvested from vines aged ~30 years, fermentation takes place briefly with the skins, and maturation lasts 24 months. in French oak barrels.
Serve at 16-18 °C with beef stew seasoned with herbs, mature cheeses and appetizers such as truffle sandwiches, risotto with wild mushrooms/truffles.
Fruit comes from a leased site in Cannubi, and the first vintage made was 2011. Jumping forward one decade, the Elio Altare 2021 Barolo Cannubi is a rounded and fleshed-out expression with dark fruit, dried cherry, spice and hints of cured tobacco. I notice the sweet oak flavors and the 15% alcohol content. The wine ages in barrique for 24 months, with 20% new oak. However, that bigger aromatic profile is adequately matched to the wine's medium-plus texture. This is a release of 1,400 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.”
