2008 Barolo
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Tasting notes
Mid ruby with the beginning of orange tinge. Fine red fruit and oak notes. Well made, no doubt. Fine palate weight but quite rustic, and a touch drying tannin. Could do with more age. (WS)
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Very dark, concentrated blackish ruby. Nervy, intense, unexpectedly smooth. Another winemaker’s Barolo whose dry tannins show up only after a massive fruity palate impact. Pretty smart stuff! Dry and quite exciting on the finish. One of the more emphatic wines in this collection but well made. Just a bit sweet and loose on the finish. (JR)
The 2008 Barolo is a striking wine. This is all finesse and grace. Dark red cherries, flowers, spices, mint and minerals are some of the nuances that flow from this beautifully delineated, gorgeous Barolo. Floral notes reappear to frame the sublime finish. Altare's straight Barolo doesn't get as much recognition as some of his other wines, but it is once again fabulous in 2008.
The 2008 Barolo is loaded with finesse and grace. Dark red cherries, flowers, spices, mint and minerals are some of the nuances that flow from this beautifully delineated, gorgeous Barolo. Floral notes reappear to frame the sublime finish. Altare’s straight Barolo doesn’t get as much recognition as some of his other wines, but it is once again fabulous in 2008. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028. This is a stellar set of wines from Elio Altare. The 2008 Nebbioli were brought in between October 7 and 10, which is a bit late for this estate. The 2008s have a Pinot-like sweetness that is incredibly appealing. Experiments with a fully destemmed Barolo continue. It will be interesting to see how those wines develop over the coming years, but so far the results are intriguing, to say the least. The biggest piece of news, however, is a new lease on a parcel of Cannubi, of which there are now five barrels resting in the cellar with vintage 2011. The new addition will console Altare fans over the loss of the Barolo Brunate, which will no longer be made, as Altare lost access to that fruit after the 2011 harvest. Various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300; Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel.(415) 492-9411; Robert Houde Wines, Elk Grove Village, IL; tel. (847) 430-3887