1999 Elio Altare Barolo
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Tasting notes
The 1999 Barolo has come together beautifully. Although still quite youthful and vibrant, the fruit has begun to open up and the tannins are just starting to melt away. There is plenty of vintage 2009 energy and tension on the finish. Dark red cherries, red plums, licorice and tobacco are woven together nicely on the surprisingly round, plush finish. Darker, more balsamic notes add depth and gravitas on the finish. This is a gorgeous, striking Barolo from Elio Altare. The 2009 should drink well for another decade-plus.
Critic scores
Daniel Thomases, Wine Advocate
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Dark ruby. Altare's 1999 Barolo is an undeniably appealing wine, with a gorgeous, perfumed nose and rose, red fruit and licorice flavors which play off each other in a delicate expression of La Morra terroir. In keeping with the style of the vintage, this Barolo is still quite youthful and another few years of cellaring are warranted, after which this wine will offer great drinking for at least another decade. There is nothing normal about Altare's Barolo normale….I have tasted virtually every vintage of this wine back to 1982 and seldom been disappointed.
The 1999 Barolo shatters the idea that a regular bottling need only provide acceptable wine. A dark garnet/ruby, its chocolate and licorice nose and solid, tarry flavors deliver plenty of punch and ripeness from start to finish. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2015. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411
The 1999 Barolo shatters the idea that a regular bottling need only provide acceptable wine. A dark garnet/ruby, its chocolate and licorice nose and solid, tarry flavors deliver plenty of punch and ripeness from start to finish. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2015. Oct 2003, www.robertparker.com