Barolo Unoperuno 2016 - Elio Altare

Barolo Unoperuno 2016 — Elio Altare

This Barolo Unoperuno 2016 from Elio Altare embodies a rare, meticulous and profoundly refined expression of Nebbiolo from the Langhe. A singular cuvée whose name evokes an extremely precise selection, berry by berry, Unoperuno combines the nobility of Barolo, the energy of the 2016 vintage and Elio Altare’s elegant signature: red cherry, Morello cherry, raspberry, red plum, dried rose, violet, fine spices, liquorice, black tea, blond tobacco, delicate tar, noble earth, light truffle and a long mineral finish.

Elio Altare is one of the emblematic estates of La Morra and of Barolo’s contemporary history, recognised for wines that are profound, precise, textured and elegant in their accessibility. Unoperuno represents a cuvée of great exacting standards, where fruit purity, tannic finesse and aromatic precision are brought to the fore. The 2016 vintage, considered one of Barolo’s great classical years, brings freshness, structure, balance and remarkable ageing potential.

Terroir: Barolo, Nebbiolo, perfume and Langhe structure

Barolo is one of the greatest expressions of Nebbiolo, a demanding and noble variety that reveals with intensity the nuances of soil, altitude and exposure in the Langhe. The wines often combine delicate colour with deep structure, marked tannins, natural acidity and a unique aromatic palette of red fruits, flowers, spices, tar, earth and truffle.

At Elio Altare, the style is distinguished by a pursuit of elegance, purity and texture, without renouncing Nebbiolo’s depth. Unoperuno highlights an extremely careful selection, giving a wine of great precision, at once intense, floral and finely structured. In 2016, fruit ripeness is balanced by remarkable freshness and a noble tannic frame, promising a long and complex evolution.

Tasting notes

Appearance: pale ruby with garnet reflections, bright, elegant and still youthful. The naturally delicate hue of Nebbiolo reflects the purity of the variety, the freshness of the 2016 vintage and a slow evolution towards more brick-toned and aromatic nuances.

Nose: fine, deep and highly expressive, with red cherry, Morello cherry, raspberry, red plum, small red fruits, dried rose, violet, fine spices, liquorice and black tea. With aeration, nuances of blond tobacco, fine leather, delicate tar, forest floor, noble earth, bark, light truffle, dried mint and blood orange may appear.

Palate: broad, precise, fresh and elegantly structured, with pure red fruit carried by a fine but persistent tannic frame. Flavours of cherry, Morello cherry, raspberry, red plum, rose, liquorice, black tea, tobacco, fine earth and spices unfold with intensity and restraint. The finish is long, mineral, lightly saline and delicately balsamic, with an impression of purity, tension and great Piedmontese nobility.

Expression of the 2016 vintage

The 2016 vintage in Barolo is widely recognised for its classical balance, combining fruit ripeness, freshness, tannic structure and great aromatic precision. The best wines of this year have remarkable depth, sustained energy and exceptional ageing capacity, while preserving great purity of perfume.

Today, this Barolo Unoperuno 2016 from Elio Altare remains still young, but it can already impress through its aromatic brilliance, finesse and tension after measured aeration. With time, it will gain complexity around notes of truffle, fine leather, tobacco, tar, forest floor, melted spices, dried mint and noble earth, while preserving the purity of red fruit and the structure of Nebbiolo.