The 2008 Altrovino is wonderfully sleek and perfumed, with terrific balance in its red fruit, spices and flowers. A final burst of fruit informs the long finish. The 2008 is a mid-weight Altrovino. The 2008 harvest was challenging and the estate lost a significant part of its Merlot, causing overall production to drop around 30%. Still, if this is any indication, the juice that went into bottle is first-rate. Altrovino is equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot fermented in cement and aged in neutral French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014. Proprietors Luca D’Attoma and Elena Celli continue to ratchet up quality in a meaningful way at their small winery in Riparbella. The vineyards are farmed biodynamically, while winemaking remains stripped down and non-interventionalist. Importer: A.I. Selections, Astoria, NY; tel. (718) 777-2243