CAVALLOTTO Reserve Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe, Barolo

ELIO ALTARE La Villa Rosso, Langhe DOC The Elio Altare Langhe La Villa comes from the La Morra sub-region. Only 200-250 dozen bottles are produced each year from Nebbiolo and Barbera grapes planted on south-east facing slopes. The vineyard, on clay and tufa stone soils, is farmed organically, but along traditional lines. The grapes are crushed and then macerated on skins for 3-4 days in temperature-controlled rotary fermenters before fermentation using indigenous yeasts. The wine is matured for 18 months in new French oak barriques before bottling unfined and unfiltered. The Elio Altare La Villa shows an intense, ruby-red colour and equally intense aromas of plums and berries, plus rose petals. The palate typically shows fresh red fruits, balanced tannins and attractive acidity boosted by the Barbera component.

An extremely pleasing and drinkable wine, and although it has a high alcohol grade this never overpowers its fruity character. Its red colour has Bordeaux reflections and the slow trickle from the edge of the glass confirms its optimal concentration and good body. The palate is caressed by a smooth tannin content typical of the Nebbiolo grape and by a warm and enveloping flavour.