1999 La Spinetta Monferrato Rosso Pin

Rivetti's blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Nebbiolo, the 1999 Pin Monferrarto Rosso, is an exotic, ripe, luxuriously intense effort displaying extravagant flavors that border on excess. It is voluptuously-textured with intense aromas of red and black fruits, smoke, and new oak. While there is a tendency to think of this as an internationally-styled offering, Nebbiolo gives the wine a finesse and complexity not found in most new breed wines. Its texture, richness, and thickness are a total turn-on. Who knows how it will age, but certainly it is impossible to resist at present. My instincts suggest drinking it over the next 7-8 years, but it may be uncommonly long-lived. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411