ELIO ALTARE Larigi, Langhe DOC
The Elio Altare Langhe ‘Larigi’ comes from the La Morra region. Only 200-250 dozen bottles are produced each year from Nebbiolo vines planted in 1948 on south and south-east facing slopes. The vineyard is farmed organically, but along traditional lines.
In the winery only indigenous yeasts are used and the wine is macerated on skins for 3-4 days in temperature-controlled rotary fermenters. It is matured for 18 months in new French barriques before bottling.
The Elio Altare ‘Larigi’ shows a dense, purple-red colour and intense, persistent aromas of aromas of small red fruits. The palate is typically warm, soft and intense, with red berry flavours, silky tannins and balanced acidity.
The 2016 Langhe Larigi, a pure expression of Barbera from old vines and with only 2500 bottles produced, is a beautiful wine with bright ripeness and lush fruit. Semi-crunchy in nature, it also has some muscle under the hood with a 15.5% alcohol content. The finish is fresh and bright. Try it with the famous local tajarin (rich egg-yolk pasta), without giving a second thought to all that cholesterol and the volume of alcohol you are consuming. By the way, Elio Altare is now 69 years old, and he counts 54 vintages under his belt.
91 points, Wine Advocate (June 2019)
Altare's 2016 Larigi is a total stunner. Rich and explosive on the palate, with tremendous fruit richness, the 2016 is positively stellar. Succulent dark cherry, plum, chocolate, spice and new leather build as this sexy Barbera shows off its super-distinctive personality. As delicious as the Larigi is today, it also needs a number of years to be at its best. Indeed, Larigi boasts one of the most impressive track records in Piedmont. The 2016 will soon take its place as one of the greatest Larigis ever made. It is every bit that special.
95+ points, Vinous (February 2019)
