The 2010 Langhe Larigi is made with fruit from 65-year-old Barbera vines. Inky dark in appearance, it presents a deeply fruit-driven bouquet with blackberry, plum and sweet cherry. It feels lovely in the mouth with rich density and a velvety texture. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020. Elio Altare is never a man to mince words. He tells the rags-to-riches story of Barolo with conviction, passion and firsthand knowledge. La Morra went from having a handful of farmers (five or six) back in the early 1970s to dozens of estates today. Back then, grape growers were considered so low in social rank, many could not find local women to marry. They imported wives from poorer regions of southern Italy, like Calabria and Basilicata, to live in the Langhe. “C’era la fame qui,” he says. (“We were starving.”) From his panoramic porch overlooking the Frazione Annunziata section of La Morra, he sighs, “Just look at us now.” He tells the story of his first trip to France: “It blew my mind that producers in Burgundy were buying Porsches and yachts with just a few hectares of vine while we were dirt poor.” Highly influenced by that trip (his use of French barrique for aging Nebbiolo is a prime example), Altare returned to Italy and vowed to shake things up. He most certainly did. Various American importers, including: Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300; Estate Wines, San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411

A hint of new oak lines the mint, cherry, plum and spice flavors in this suave, polished red. Balanced and bright, with flourishes of tar and licorice on the lingering finish. Barbera. Drink now through 2018. 416 cases made.??–BS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Langhe Select to Add