At a glance

Producer

Elio Altare

Region

Barolo DOCG, Piedmont, Italy

Grape variety

Nebbiolo

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$300-$450

Tasting profile

Crushed rose petal, tar, ripe cherries, raspberries, warm spice, licorice, earthy truffle notes, and firm tannins with freshness.

Evolution: Primary fruit fading in favor of secondary (dried flowers, tobacco) and tertiary (leather, truffle, balsamic) notes as it nears peak.

At peak: Profound aromatic complexity, fine-grained tannins, seamless integration of fruit, earth, and spice; a textbook Cannubi Barolo expression.

Structure

Acidity

Pronounced and lively (classic Nebbiolo structure)

Tannins

Firm, ripe, and finely grained

Alcohol

14.5% ABV (typical for Barolo in 2015)

Aging potential

25-35 years from vintage; drink 2023-2042 with proper storage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2025 to 2052

Optimal window

2023 to 2055

Current status

Maturing, entering optimal drinking phase

Current condition

Still vigorous and structured, opening up complexity but with years of life ahead

2015 is an excellent, generous Barolo vintage with ripe, supple tannins but classic backbone. Elio Altare's Cannubi is crafted with modernist flair but maintains structure and aging capacity due to vineyard pedigree. This bottling will unfurl beautifully over 20-30+ years, with best complexity and polish from its 10th to 25th birthday (2025–2040). Top Barolo in this style, from a great vintage, ages gracefully and rewards patience.

Food pairing

Pair with braised veal or beef (osso buco, brasato), wild mushroom risotto, truffle pasta, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, or game birds; earthy and savory truffle-driven Italian cuisine matches best.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (2 hours) — Young Barolo benefits from aeration to soften tannins and release floral and earthy aromatics.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Manual vineyard work, no synthetic herbicides/pesticides, organic compost/fertilizer, native cover crops, reduced chemical input, hand harvesting, limited SO2 in winemaking, lighter glass bottles used, recyclable corks, minimal packaging waste.

Elio Altare is deeply committed to environmentally friendly viticulture, with decades of reduced chemical use, hand-tended vines, and minimal intervention in cellar. However, lacking formal third-party organic/biodynamic certification, and as a small-but-premium Barolo estate, they export globally, adding to carbon emissions. Packaging is purposeful but not ultra-lightweight. Winery strives for sustainability within traditional Barolo standards; improvements in renewable energy and shipping practices would yield higher scores.