2006 Elio Altare Barolo
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Tasting notes
The 2006 Barolo is a medium-bodied offering with attractive, perfumed fruit. Though somewhat slender, the wine offers excellent balance, albeit in a smaller-scaled style than is normally the case. The wine opens up nicely in the glass, yet it remains a touch compact. Over nearly a decade of visiting Altare on a regular basis I have tasted just about every wine made here, including many from lesser vintages. The surprises have always been on the upside, so it will be interesting to see what happens here.
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The 2006 Barolo is a medium-bodied offering with attractive, perfumed fruit. Though somewhat slender, the wine offers excellent balance, albeit in a smaller-scaled style than is normally the case. The wine opens up nicely in the glass, yet it remains a touch compact. Over nearly a decade of visiting Altare on a regular basis I have tasted just about every wine made here, including many from lesser vintages. The surprises have always been on the upside, so it will be interesting to see what happens here. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. The 2006 harvest was not kind to Elio Altare. Despite having diversified his Nebbiolo holdings across three villages – La Morra, Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga – Altare had significant hail damage in all of his best parcels. Altare felt the fruit he was able to bring in wasn’t suitable for his single-vineyard Barolos, so he opted to make only his straight Barolo. Altare fans can take some comfort with the late-release 2005 Barolo Cerretta. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411, Giuliana Imports, Boulder CO; (303) 547-6343, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119
(mostly declassified fruit from Arborina; there was no Brunate in 2006 due to hail) Good deep red with ruby highlights. Expressive aromas of raspberry, marzipan, tobacco and underbrush. Dense and sweet, with lovely depth to its raspberry and cherry flavors and plenty of framing energy. Just a tad dry on the aftertaste, but this is impressive for normale
The 2006 Barolo is a medium-bodied offering with attractive, perfumed fruit. Though somewhat slender, the wine offers excellent balance, albeit in a smaller-scaled style than is normally the case. The wine opens up nicely in the glass, yet it remains a touch compact. Over nearly a decade of visiting Altare on a regular basis I have tasted just about every wine made here, including many from lesser vintages. The surprises have always been on the upside, so it will be interesting to see what happens here. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. Feb 2010, www.robertparker.com