This special bottling from one of the pioneers of modern Barolo comes from top-notch vineyard sites in their collection.
"With this new project, we have been hand-destemming the berries literally “one by one” ["uno per uno"]. We are looking for the purity of the fruit of nebbiolo, making sure there are no stems, no leaves, and no ugly berries left in the maceration." - ELIO ALTARE ESTATE
VINOUS 96 POINTS - "The 2017 Barolo Unoperuno is sensual, silky and nuanced. Crushed red berry fruit, blood orange, spice, mint and rose petal are some of the aromas and flavors that grace this exquisite, translucent Barolo. Heady and exotic from the first taste, the 2017 is vivid and beautiful, with silky tannins that add to its appeal. The Unoperuno is a selection of grapes, meticulously destemmed, from all of the Altare vineyards. Vinification in small lots, in barrel, has made a big difference here. In 2017, the Unoperuno is hugely appealing. " - Antonio Galloni
WINE ADVOCATE 95 POINTS - "The Elio Altare 2017 Barolo Unoperuno (with each berry selected "one by one") draws its fruit from Arborina in La Morra, Cannubi in Barolo, Pernanno in Castiglione Falletto, Sarmassa in Barolo and Cerretta in Serralunga d'Alba. The wine reveals dark and saturated fruit, but the characteristic that stands out in this wine is its slightly spicy quality, with dried blackberry, ginger and cinnamon stick. This Barolo imparts a soft and thickly textured approach that wraps thickly over the palate." Best through 2040.
PRACTICES ORGANIC FARMING
" Faced with a severe and long lasting economic crisis in Italy, Elio along with other curious barolisti, decided to learn more about winemaking beyond the borders of Piedmont in an attempt to emulate the success that those regions were enjoying. In January 1976, they made their first trip to Burgundy and it was a revelation. When Elio got back home he knew there were major changes to be made. He wasn’t afraid: he grabbed a chainsaw as if it were a sword, and first cut down the fruit trees in the orchard. Then in the cellar he chopped up the large, traditional botti into firewood which made way for the next big revolution: Barrique [small French oak barrels as in Bordeaux or Burgundy].
His father Giovanni didn’t understand him. Being from an older generation and poorer times, Elios radical decisions were too far removed from his own fathers way of thinking. Giuseppe was not able to accept what he thought was an offence against common sense and tradition, and therefore sought comfort in silence. Giovanni died in 1985 and tragically disinherited Elio. Determined to fight for his beliefs, Elio continued to work to buy back the winery and vineyards from his siblings. Elio stood firm then and still does today. Stubbornly he decided to change direction and to give a different interpretation to the family’s wine – favoring elegance, finesse, and balance, following a strict regime in the vineyards, adopting new vinification and aging techniques in the cellar.
As of June 2016, the ownership and supervision of the farm has officially been transferred to Elio’s daughter Silvia, who is a dynamic and passionate champion for her family business. We are very excited about the future of this incredible estate!" - SKURNIK IMPORTS
