The 2005 Barolo achieves superb balance in this vintage. The wine shows the freshness of the growing season, but also possesses striking density in its fruit that carries all the way through to the long finish. Sweet spices, menthol and red fruit are some of the nuances that can be found in this soft, beautiful wine. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2025. It is always fascinating to spend some time with Elio Altare. My most recent visit was no exception, as we tasted through every vintage of his Barbera Larigi from 1985 to 2008. When Altare began radically shortening fermentation times and using French oak in the mid-1980s, one of the oft-heard criticisms of the wines is that they wouldn’t age, a hypothesis that has soundly proven to be false. Our tasting ended with the 1994 Langhe Arborina, a wine from a modest vintage that saw a mere 40 hours of contact with the skins, and that is still gorgeous, fresh, and intact. I will be posting notes on the Larigi vertical on my site within www.erobertparker.com. In the meantime, readers will find much to admire in these beautiful 2005 Barolos, which are among the highlights of the vintage. Unfortunately the 2006 harvest was much less kind, so fans of Altare’s wines will want to consider these 2005 Barolos carefully. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411

Wonderful aromas of crushed berries, from strawberry to raspberry. Full-bodied, with big, velvety tannins and a long, fruity finish. Dense and balanced. Needs time to soften. A precise red. Best after 2013. 1,200 cases made, 350 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barolo Select to Add