Recommended wines
1. Barolo 1999 Paolo Scavino, Bric del Fiasc (Nebbiolo, Piemonte) 94 points - Pure silk in a bottle, red fruits with neverending finish went beautifully with Piemontese dishes at Borgo Antico. Consumed October 2009 at Locanda del Borgo Antico, Barolo
2. Sforzato 2006 Nino Negri, 5 stelle (Nebbiolo, Piemonte) 16%, 94 points - A monstrous and oakey but very well balanced wine. Mid-palate was near perfect but finish not as long as a noble Barolo or Brunello. Consumed 4 times from 2010 to 2011.
3. Gattinara 2004 Antoniolo Osso San Grato (Nebbiolo, Piemonte), 14%, 94 points - Beautiful fruit on nose, subdued tannins, and excellent finish. Consumed Februrary 2011 at Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia, Milano.
4. Brunello di Montalcino 2001 Siro Pacenti (Sangiovese, Toscana) 14%, 93 points - Strong but balanced tannins, incredible length. Consumed December 2008.
5. Brunello di Montalcino 2002 Soldera (Sangiovese, Toscana) 93 points - Incredible finish, copper on nose, well driven mid palate. Consumed November 2009 at Fortress, Montalcino.
6. Barbaresco 2000 Marchese di Gresy Barbaresco (Nebbiolo, Piemonte), 92 points - Consumed October 2009 at Ristorante Rabaja, Barbaresco.
7. Sforzato 2007, Corte di Cama - Mamete Prevostini (Nebbiolo, Lombardia), 92 points - Classic Sforzato elegance but the tannis are a bit overpowering at this point and could use another year of aging for ideal drinking. Consumed April 2011 at Enoteca Vino al Vino, Milano.
8. Terre Brune 2005, Santadi (Carignano 95%, bovaleddu 5%, Sardegna) 14.5%, 92 points - Beautifully balanced wine with outstanding drinkability even now. Consumed January 2011
9. Pinot Nero 2008 Carlotto Ferruccio "Filari di Mazzon" (Alto Adige), 91 points - Beautiful and well rounded wine. Drink now. Consumed April 2011 at Enoteca Vino al Vino, Milano.
10. Nebbiolo 2007 Cavalotto Langhe (Nebbiolo, Piemonte), 91 points - Classic Nebbiolo, perfect brownish red color. The 30-s finish on this Nebbiolo convinced me to consume 4 glasses of this spectacular wine. Consumed April 2011.
11. Gattinara 1998 Travaglini Riserva (Nebbiolo, Piemonte) 13.5% 91 points - Medium bodied and well-balanced Gattinara that should have mass appeal thanks to its subdued tannins, consumed January 2010
12. Barolo 2005 Pio Cesare (Nebbiolo, Piemonte), 14% 91 points
13. Sforzato 2004 Fay (Nebbiolo, Lombardia) 15%, 91 points - Dark fruits with nice mid palate but short finish, consumed September 2009
14. Amarone 2006 Masi Costasera Riserva (Veneto), 91 points - Sweet silky tannins that perfectly complimented a ribeye steak, consumed February 2010, Tea House restaurant, Vancouver
15. Boca 2005 Davide Carlone (Nebbiolo, Piemonte), 91 points - The best wine value I have ever experienced at only 24 euros! For my palate, it's worth more than twice that. Consumed at La Latteria, Verbania, April 2011.