Barolo Cannubi DOCG 2013 Altare

2013 Barolo Cannubi shows special intensity and verve that served as a hallmark for this classic vintage. The good news at the Altare winery is that the woman who leases out this parcel of Cannubi has renewed the contract, after heated negotiations, for six more years. That means that we can count on seeing this wine until 2024. This wine is absolutely distinguished by its fine and polished nature, but it feels firm and structured, even a bit fatter than expected, once it hits the palate. The effect is complete and generous. Wait a few moments and the wine takes a turn toward very floral and perfumed aromas.

Elio Altare and his daughter Silvia made all their single-vineyard Barolo expressions in 2014. The estate uses hail nets in the vineyards and this helped to protect the fruit from adverse weather conditions.

One of the firmer wines in this lineup. In 2013, the Cannubi is distinguished for its focus, tension and overall energy. Bright red stone fruit, blood orange, mint and sweet tobacco are all nicely pushed forward. Beams of focused, nervous tannins give the wine its shape and overall persistence. The lifted aromatics and translucent fruit are pure Cannubi. Even so, the 2013 needs time to come into its own. Today, it is decidedly nervous.