Elio Altare 2018 'Unoperuno' Barolo DOCG

Elio Altare 2018 'Unoperuno' Barolo DOCG

Item Number: 17636

UPC: None

Country: Italy
Region: Piedmont
Sub Region: Langhe
Appellation/AVA: Barolo DOCG
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vintage: 2018
Grape(s): 100% Nebbiolo
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 6
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 15
Viticulture: Practicing Organic
Soil Type: Stone with clay and sand
Case Production: 307

Uno per uno, meaning one by one, is an incredible wine produced from Nebbiolo grapes that have literally been destemmed by hand one berry at a time. Pure Nebbiolo - no stems, no leaves, no bugs, no ugly berries - goes into the maceration tank for fermentation. This process takes a long time, and many think they are crazy to make this wine, but the result is a delicious wine of bright fruit, great complexity, soft and silky tannin yet still a good grip, and some spice on the finish. Unoperuno Barolo offers enormous pleasure.

Winemaking Notes: All the vineyards are farmed organically. Copper and copper sulfate are only used if necessary. Organic cow manure from Altare's mountain cows is used to fertilize the vines. Fermentation occurs naturally with indigenous yeast as does the malolactic fermentation. The wine is not fined, filtered, or clarified. No substances that could modify the color or the structure of the wine is ever used.

Reviews

  • The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 95 (8/11/2022)
    As the wine name suggests, this Barolo is assembled a single berry at a time, "one by one." With a high price point that reflects a labor-intensive winemaking process, the Elio Altare 2018 Barolo Unoperuno shows some softness and sweetness of a hot vintage. This wine is made of a blend of fruit selected from Arborina (in La Morra), Cannubi (in Barolo), Pernanno (in Castiglione Falletto), Sarmassa (in Barolo) and Ceretta (in Serralunga d'Alba). The bouquet reveals soft cherry confit and dried raspberry with spice, leather and dark licorice. Made entirely by hand, this is a limited production of 1,300 bottles.
  • Vinous
    Rating: 95 (11/21/2021)
    The 2018 Barolo Unoperuno is terrific. Bright and beautifully perfumed, the Unoperuno impresses with finesse. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, kirsch, cinnamon, mint and dried flowers all soar out of the glass. Readers will find a Barolo of uncommon finesse and elegance. As has been the case for a few vintages now, the Unoperuno is made from a blend of vineyard sites, with all the fruit destemmed by hand. The purity of the flavors is unreal.
  • The Wine Spectator
    Rating: 94 (2/28/2023)
    Ripe, boasting plum, black cherry and coffee aromas and flavors framed by vanilla, caramel and leather accents. Lush and broad on the palate, yet with ample acidity to drive the lingering finish and keep this balanced. A more flamboyant 2018. Best from 2025 through 2045.