Barolo, 2018

Name: Barolo
Brand: Elio Altare
Price: 116.38 GBP

Available Vintages

all 2000 2013 2015 2018 2020 2021

justerini & brooks tasting note

This opens with alluring, fragrant red fruit, echoed on the palate with crispy, juicy and ripe wild red berries sewn together by a fine thread of tannins. Even-keeled, charming, and built on solid foundations. Since losing the La Morra component of this vineyard they are now down to a production of only 8,000 bottles (from 12,000.) A blend of fruit from Barolo, (Sarmassa) Serralunga and Castiglione Falletto. Aged for 24 months in 20 percent new oak.

critic reviews

94/100Monica Larner,Robert Parker Wine Advocate

A classic expression from vintner Elio Altare and his talented team, the 2018 Barolo is an elegant and streamlined wine. It is made from a blend of fruit from various parcels in Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, La Morra and Novello (with 11,700 bottles produced in this vintage). Aged in neutral barrique for 24 months, the wine shows a linear and focused personality with tart cherry, aniseed, crushed rock and blue flower. It's best suited for near or medium-term consumption.

DRINKING WINDOW 2024 - 2038

date of review 08/2022

94/100Susan Hulme,The Wine Independent

The 2018 Elio Altare Barolo is very fragrant, with hints of crushed iris, meadow flowers and spices. This is followed by oak spice, nutmeg and cinnamon notes. Comparing this with the 2017, I like the 2018 much better. The tannins are even finer and less dry and there is a nice, pleasing freshness and juiciness on the finish. The wine feels less heavy and dense than the 2017 and so it flows pleasantly and easily across the palate. Wait one to two years, drink for up 15-20.

DRINKING WINDOW 2024 - 2042

date of review 07/2022

92/100Antonio Galloni,Vinous

The 2018 Barolo is a gorgeous entry-level wine. Actually, it is an entry-level wine just in name. Racy and pliant, with terrific purity and fine balance, the 2018 is positively stellar. Crushed red berry fruit, flowers, mint, licorice and rose petal flesh out in this gorgeous, captivating Barolo from the Altare family. Vineyard sites are Sarmassa, Badarina and Novello.

DRINKING WINDOW 2028 - 2043

date of review 02/2022