1987 Barolo

Lively medium ruby. The superb 1987 displays a perfumed, aromatic nose of flowers, spices, and vanilla, with more prominent toasted oak aromas than the preceding vintages. On the palate it offers the vibrant red fruit so typical of La Morra Barolos with modest depth, but much overall elegance and freshness. Like other first-rate 1987s I have had recently, this wine is an over-achiever. What it may lack in complexity it more than makes up for in its sheer drinkability and the pure pleasure it delivers. By 1987 the signature Altare style is clearly in place. This saw 6 days of maceration and fermentation, and was aged entirely in barrique. “In 1987 I waited to harvest perhaps a bit too long. On the day were supposed to start picking it started to rain and did not stop for three days. As a result, I did not make a Barolo Arborina, and that fruit ended up in the normale,” explains Altare. A great choice for drinking today, this wine also shows no signs of fading.