Happy Birthday to Agent Noir. What do you get for the wine buyer who has every wine, from First Growths to cult cabs and more?

This. Without doubt, one of our favorite discoveries in years. For Agents Rhone, Brut and Noir, this would be one of our “desert island” wines - one that’s immediately enjoyable but also fantastically intellectual. And at $29, it’s an immense value that will please the most die-hard Barolo lovers.

“Although Elio Altare is best known for the superb Barolos, his entire range is among the most consistently brilliant in Italy” says Vinous.

Barolos fans probably know Altare well and may even have a small fortification of their finest in the cellar.

The only problem? Time. You need to wait for the prime drinking window… and meanwhile heir prices keep creeping up to Burgundian heights.

Here’s the solution. Pile up on Piedmont’s best-kept secret from the same grape, Langhe Nebbiolo. When made by a venerable producer like Altare they can vastly exceed all expectations - especially at a price like this.

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous brings us up to date with the current matters at the great estate, “After all these years, Elio Altare has become a classic. Daughter Silvia Altare makes the wines pretty much the same way her father always did. I find that level of conviction refreshing, as it is rare in a world where so many producers chase the latest fashion.”

What to expect? Intensity and purity galore, with exotically perfumed red fruits, and enchanting scorched earth nuances that make Nebbiolo oh-so-famous and irresistible. Antonio Galloni’s Vinous calls it “a fabulous entry-level wine from Altare” since his Barolos can go for $200-300.

In fact, we snuck one of those Barolos into the Store today! And as they once added, “In the capable hands of Elio Altare this wine is elevated to an unexpectedly high level of elegance. It comes across as a mini-Barolo of sorts, providing all of the classic notes in a more subdued manner, and offering incredible drinking pleasure. ‘This is a simple Nebbiolo…’ says Altare, although there is nothing ‘simple’ about this wine.”

Langhe Nebbiolos by equally heralded masters such as Mascarello or Rinaldi nowadays go for more than $100 a bottle, while you can steal this one today at $29. Eataly got allocated some too it seems while they charge a righteous $75 for this rarity.

Not to worry - when this is gone - the show WILL go on.