At a glance

Producer

Elio Altare

Region

Barolo DOCG, Piedmont, Italy

Grape variety

Nebbiolo

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$70-$90

Tasting profile

Bright cherry, rose petal, tar, with firm tannic grip and pronounced acidity.

Evolution: Fruit gradually integrates and softens; earthy and floral tertiary notes develop over 10+ years.

At peak: Complex bouquet of truffle, leather, and dried herbs with silky yet structured palate.

Structure

Acidity

High acidity maintaining freshness and aging potential

Tannins

Firm and prominent, typical of Nebbiolo

Alcohol

Around 14-14.5%

Aging potential

25-35 years from vintage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2030 to 2050

Optimal window

2025 to 2053

Current status

Approaching early maturity, still robust and tannic

Current condition

Firm tannins, high acidity, primary fruit with emerging tertiary notes

Barolo from a reputable producer like Elio Altare and an excellent vintage like 2018 develops complexity over decades. The high tannin and acidity provide structure for at least 25-35 years, with the best drinking window starting 7+ years after vintage and peaking around 12+ years.

Food pairing

Pair with rich red meats, game, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses, and traditional Piedmont cuisine like brasato al Barolo.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To soften firm tannins and open aromatic complexity

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 5/10

Standard viticultural practices; no biodynamic or organic methods stated. Likely traditional regional practices with some attention to sustainability but no formal certification.

Elio Altare is a traditional producer without formal organic or biodynamic certification. While no special sustainability certifications are stated, traditional Piedmont viticulture often uses environmentally-conscious methods by default but lacks third-party validation. The carbon footprint involves moderate transportation emissions depending on market placement, but locally sourced inputs and regional scale limit overall impact.