Elio Altare is now one of the finest winegrowers in Piedmont. But things have not always been straightforward. This Burgundy-lover and visionary wanted to modernise the old Barolo wines, but this brought him into conflict with his father, who disinherited him. Undaunted, Elio Altare managed to buy back his father's domaine and now, with his daughter Silvia, produces pesticide and chemical-free wines vinified with indigenous yeasts, in la Morra, a town in the Barolo region. His wines are strikingly elegant and extraordinarily silky smooth, both literally and figuratively. They are also stunningly fresh. This is a truly great domaine.

The ages of the "Brunate" Barolo vines vary from twenty to ninety years. Production is restricted (1,200 to 1,500 bottles), and it is a great wine for keeping which exudes superb freshness on the nose. In the mouth, its floral aromas gradually give way to great complexity and an exceptional finish. It is matured for 24 months in French oak barrique barrels.