The 2007 Elio Altare L'Insieme comes from a warm growing season in Piedmont, resulting in a ripe, exotic, and approachable red wine with a good structure for aging. L'Insieme, meaning "together" in Italian, represents a charitable initiative by influential Piedmontese winemakers, including Elio Altare, who blend native and international grapes from the best barrels of the vintage, with production being limited. This wine presents a very intense ruby red color. On the nose, it is very spicy and intense, offering notes of warming dark chocolate, garden mud, ripe plum, fresh figs, blackcurrant, menthol, ripe black cherry, eucalyptus, and wet cedar plank. You might also detect cedar, tobacco, vanilla, blackberry, tar, leather, cherry, licorice, pepper, and anise. The palate boasts a big, "international" structure, delivering spicy and herbal notes, with flavors of chocolate-covered cherry, cedar shavings, dried plum, blackberry, and warm licorice candy, all supported by fine tannins and a long, dry finish. Some tasters have described it as quirky yet high quality. 🍴 This versatile red pairs wonderfully with a range of dishes, including beef, lamb, veal, and pasta. It also complements dishes featuring onion, garlic, venison, tomato-based sauces, pork, mushrooms, and hard cheeses. 🥂 The 2007 Elio Altare L'Insieme, with its approachable yet age-worthy character and "crowd-pleaser" potential, is perfect for sophisticated dinner parties, special gatherings, or events with a philanthropic theme, celebrating both fine wine and a good cause. 【A blend representing a charitable initiative by influential Piedmontese winemakers, offering an "international" yet structured profile.】