Winemaker Notes
Blend: 50% Nebbiolo, 25% Barbera, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The exotic 2000 Pin Monferrato Rosso (a blend of 25% Barbera, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 50% Nebbiolo aged 18 months in new French oak) reveals a smoky, full-bodied style along with a kinky nose of black fruits mixed with vanilla, spice box, and espresso. Rich and chewy, with moderate tannin as well as a sweet, long, concentrated finish, it should be consumed over the next decade, although I suspect it will last longer.
Attracting the most glory, prestige and fame to the Piedmont region, Nebbiolo in all of its expressions—Barolo, Barbaresco, Roero, Ghemme and Gattinara—creates a complex wine, truly unique for its delicate qualities combined with strength and a great potential to improve over time.
But Nebbiolo isn’t all there is to red wine from Piedmont! Barbera is the most planted variety and historically most popular as a dependable, food-friendly, everyday wine.
Beyond these two, a surprising number of red varieties call Piedmont their home. Worth a try include Dolcetto for its bold concentration and aromas of spice cake. Other grapes to investigate include Freisa, Croatina, Brachetto, Grignolino and Pelaverga.