2008 Barolo Vigneto Arborina
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Tasting notes
Just ruby, just beginning to show some orange on the rim. Not very expressive on the nose at the moment. Earthy cherry. On the palate it is another story: great depth and freshness and attractive austerity on the finish. Fantastic balance, really fine. Grainy, muscular finish, but it would be madness to drink it now. (WS)
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2008 Barolo Arborina is gorgeous for the way it combines layers of flesh dark fruit in a medium-bodied style of the year. Dark red cherries, flowers, spices and minerals are some of the notes that emerge from this beautiful, polished Barolo. The 2008 is all class and elegance. Layers of fruit meld together on the polished finish.
The 2008 Barolo Arborina is gorgeous for the way it combines layers of fleshy dark fruit in the medium-bodied style of the year. Dark red cherries, flowers, spices and minerals are some of the notes that emerge from this beautiful, polished Barolo. The 2008 is all class and elegance. Layers of fruit meld together on the polished finish. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2033. This is a stellar set of wines from Elio Altare. The 2008 Nebbioli were brought in between October 7 and 10, which is a bit late for this estate. The 2008s have a Pinot-like sweetness that is incredibly appealing. Experiments with a fully destemmed Barolo continue. It will be interesting to see how those wines develop over the coming years, but so far the results are intriguing, to say the least. The biggest piece of news, however, is a new lease on a parcel of Cannubi, of which there are now five barrels resting in the cellar with vintage 2011. The new addition will console Altare fans over the loss of the Barolo Brunate, which will no longer be made, as Altare lost access to that fruit after the 2011 harvest. Various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300; Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel.(415) 492-9411; Robert Houde Wines, Elk Grove Village, IL; tel. (847) 430-3887
Bright, dark red. Black cherry, menthol and minerals on the nose. Ripe, suave and sweet in the mouth; less fleshy but more minerally than the 2007. Best today on the dry, slowly mounting, rather powerful finish, which features very fresh fruits and strong minerality, good fine-grained tannins and a sexy emerging sweetness. This should make a smooth and elegant drink in seven or eight years.