Giaborina, Langhe, 2020
Silky, open, lush red fruits including cherries, strawberries, blood orange and heather. A cocoa and coffee-bean rich texture from the barrel gives a smart, contoured feel but this is nicely weighted and fulsome without feeling heavy. 100% Nebbiolo produced from two plots in the Arborina vineyard, one from the 1940s and one from the 1980s, fermented and aged in 100% new oak barrique for 18 months.
critic reviews
This is 100% Nebbiolo that is made like a Barolo, but it is released one year earlier. This wine always gives you a good idea of what to expect the following year when the Barolos are indeed released. The Elio Altare 2020 Langhe Giarborina definitely hints at warmer, sun-drenched fruit with ripe cherry flavors and pretty textural softness. Maceration times were shortened and barrique aging fine-tuned in order to adjust to the warm-vintage fruit. This vintage is more accessible overall.
The 2020 Langhe Giarborina (Nebbiolo) is bright and effusive in the glass, with striking aromatic presence and tons of class. The purity of the flavors is just compelling. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, blood orange, chalk and white pepper give the 2020 its striking perfume. There is a bit of new oak that still needs to integrate, but that should not be an issue in another few years' time.