A 50-50 blend of organic Barbera and Nebbiolo from the Ginestra Vineyard, the 2020 Langhe Rosso Monprà shows pretty richness and concentration in this hot vintage with dried cherry fruit, blackberry, spice and licorice (both red and black). The aromas are loaded up front, but the wine reveals a streamlined mouthfeel to close softly. Production is 6,100 bottles.

A blend of equal parts Barbera and Nebbiolo, the Conterno Fantino 2019 Langhe Rosso Monprà is a beautiful wine that offers a flavorful alternative to the classic wines of Piedmont, made as a pure expression of either one of these two high-performing indigenous grapes. The wine is velvety and richly concentrated with dark fruit, pressed blackberry, earth tones and some leather or spicy tobacco that comes thanks to the oak aging. This wine (with 11,694 bottles made) really hits all the right spots.

This release of about 8,900 bottles is a blend of equal parts Barbera and Nebbiolo from the Ginestra and Bussia crus. The Conterno Fantino 2018 Langhe Rosso Monprà opens to rich and dark concentration with bold cherry and blackberry aromas that cede to spice, toasted hazelnut, tobacco and baking chocolate. The wine spreads smoothly over the palate with rich texture and lasting determination. It finishes with sweet fruit flavors and medium length. Especially considering its 15% alcohol content, you'll want to uncork this beauty alongside a mighty cassoeula magra di manzo, a heavy beef and vegetable casserole from Northern Italy.

The 2015 Langhe Rosso Monprà is a blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera in equal parts (with fruit from the Ginestra and Bussia crus). This wine was first produced in 1985, although the historic Barbera vines were planted far before that in 1971. The blend is made in stainless steel following fermentation and then aged in 100% new oak for 18 months. Some 13,000 bottles were made. This is a dark and exuberant red wine with bursting aromas of dark fruit, spice, leather, tar and tobacco. Monprà addresses those international taste buds.

This is a historic wine that enjoys a great sense of purpose when you consider the evolution of Italian wine that embraced international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, before reverting to a heightened sense of varietal typicity. Today, the 2014 Langhe Rosso Monprà is a 50/50 blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera. Until the 2010 vintage, this so-called "super Piedmont" blend also saw 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. That grape was removed to return the wine to its indigenous roots. This is an expertly structured wine that is layered high with soft and succulent fruit tones. It is aged in 100% new oak. The Barbera grapes come from the Ginestra vineyard and the Nebbiolo is from Bussia.