Robert Parker 94 points - Altare’s 2004 Langhe Arborina is sublime. Made from Altare’s parcel in the Arborina vineyard and aged 12 months in oak, it presents a dazzling array of flowers, spices, ripe fruit and sweet toasted oak, all delicately woven into a soft-textured frame of extraordinary delicacy, with notable length on the palate, and fine, silky tannins to round out the finish. Hard to resist now, it will be even better with a few years of cellaring. The stunning 2004 Langhe Arborina is not to be missed. It is a wonderful harbinger of Altare’s 2004 Barolos, which have been magnificent on the occasions I’ve sampled them from barrel. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2019.
Shows fabulous aromas of blackberry, chocolate and tea. Full-bodied, with silky, caressing tannins. Long and flavorful. Beautiful now. Nebbiolo. Drink now through 2012. 230 cases made. –JS
