TN: 2001 Elio Altare Barolo Brunate (Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo)

WINE TALK
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  • 2001 Elio Altare Barolo Brunate - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (10/16/2013)
    Taken to RN74, terrific meal, decanted about 90 minutes or so. The first sniff in the glass was pure unadulterated Barolo joy, pure red rose and spice, it receded a tad in the glass, but still, this was a mid-95 point nose. Thought the palate had a formidable / youthful tannic structure, this was very understated and classy. Red fruited (but at the dark end of red) themes had yet to really develop past their youthful incarnation, very well balanced acidity, and more than ample length to contemplate the back half and finish. Very suave actually. About every 3rd sip you could find a new facet, or at least possible positive direction this wine could head. My first Altare Brunate, my last two bottles will see significant sleep, and my score of 93 is very conservative, this has all the stuffing to be a really special wine. (93 pts.)

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Altare’s Brunate is always a great wine…one of my favorites. And sadly he doesn’t source the fruit anymore.

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I heard that Barry, stinks. What will be the last official vintage?

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Had this wine at Bovio in La Morra for maybe 90€ or 100€ two or three years ago. I still remember it and I think your impressions are spot on; it offered up a lot to work with aromatically in an unapologetic manner and had a deep, serious structure. Very tasty. I also had a 1997 Sandrone Le Vigne for pretty much the same price and remember coming back to Toronto and seeing the wine listed on a restaurant list for $465… welcome to Toronto.

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2011 I believe.

The good news is I will be able to stop with a complete vertical!