A blend of Nebbiolo with some Barbera, the La Spinetta 2018 Monferrato Rosso Pin reveals a pretty and lasting bouquet with a prominent theme of red roses and dried flowers. The Barbera is used in a supporting role, but it adds enough freshness and fruity concentration to change the personality of this wine and immediately open it to a vast selection of food pairings, from pasta with meat sauce or braised beef.

The 2016 Monferrato Rosso Pin is a blend of mostly Nebbiolo with some Barbera in a supporting role. The wine offers lots of cherry and a distinctive mineral note of crushed aspirin or chalk. Those two sides of the wine, the sweetness of the fruit and that dryness, work nicely together to build the aromatic profile of this elegant 12,000-bottle production.

Pin is dedicated to Giuseppe, father of the Rivetti siblings Carlo, Bruno, Giorgio and Giovanna. The La Spinetta 2015 Monferrato Rosso Pin is a blend of 65% Nebbiolo and 35% Barbera. The Barbera comes from the Bionzo vineyard, meanwhile the Nebbiolo represents a selection from old vines in Castagnole Lanze. This is a lovely blend of Piedmont's great red grapes that delivers freshness and bright intensity. Bold cherry and cassis rise to the top, followed by light spice and smoke from barrique aging. The balance between those two grapes, one that adds exuberance and one that adds elegance, is terrific. Production is 12,000 bottles.

The 2014 Monferrato Rosso Pin is a blend of 65% Nebbiolo and 35% Barbera. The Barbera is from the Asti subzone, and you really taste those bright sweet cherry flavors that are characteristic of that area. In fact, the Barbera plays a larger role in the taste profile of the wine with elements that are very focused and bright. With time, however, the quiet but firm nature of Nebbiolo begins to emerge especially on the long finish.

The 2009 Monferrato Rosso Pin comes across as slightly understated in this vintage, which is surprising, considering how structured the rest of the wines are in this lineup. A sweet, open bouquet leads to expressive ripe red berry fruit. Overall, this is fairly straightforward Pin with good balance but not the personality of the best wines. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. Importers: Indigenous Selections, Fort Lauderdale FL; tel. (954) 530-4021; Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300