We had an absolutely amazing time in Piedmont. The food and wine was the best we've ever tasted. The beauty of the Langhe hills was breathtaking with ancient castles and towns perched atop hills covered with vineyards as far as the eye can see. If you were thinking of visiting I cannot recommend it more highly.
We brought back only three bottles, a magnum of Mascarello Barolo 2001, a Rinaldi Barolo 2001, and a Gaja 2001 Barbaresco. We found a cafe in Alba offering Gaja Centeissa 1997 for $25 Euros/glass. It was the finest wine I've ever tasted, powerful and full but with an elegant finish. I told the co-owner I could hear angels singing with each sip and he reminded me the genius in the Gaja family was named Angelo.
We now have relationships with local wine makers and importers for getting more wines shipped to us. It turns out that shipping wine back to the US is pretty expensive unless you already have a cozy arrangement. The best deal we found was charging $150/case.
Unfortunately our visit to Bruno Giacosa's winery was cancelled as Bruno is now gravely ill, but we were able to visit Bartolo Mascarello's winery and meet his widow and daughter. We bought the last year of his Barolo on the first day of its released. We tasted a glass and it was glorious just minutes after opening.
I have more notes which I'll post soon when I'm feeling less jetlagged.