Another Italian Wine Dinner at Ferrari Silicon Valley F-1 Bistro

We're back last month at the Ferrari Silicon Valley for another wine dinner at their cool F-1 Bistro, the only eatery inside a Ferrari dealership in the world.

I love the simple, rustic food prepared by Chef Dave Peatrowsky. He puts his own spin on well-worn classics as Caesar Salad, Braised Lamb Shank, and, yes, Tiramisu. In his hands, the dishes came out wonderfully refreshed and tasty.

Chef Dave's Lamb Shanks have been braising for about 3 hours and just about ready to be plated and paired with the red wines I'm pouring.

But before we got to the reds I opened Pra's 2012 Soave Classico--a rich vintage, yet absolutely crisp and vibrant. Soligo's Brut Prosecco NV is always a crowd fave at many of our Italian wine dinners, and, yet again, it didn't let us down.

All three reds drank like champs, especially with the lamb dish. Villa Medoro's 2010 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo was a dream and for just $15, an unbelievable value. Valdicava's 2010 Rosso di Montalcino, from the greatest vintage in Montalcino in recent years, showed the structure and complexity of a Brunello. This is too young at the moment, but should be amazing given perhaps 5 more years. Whereas Canalicchio di Sopra's 2008 Brunello di Montalcino, from a more accessible vintage, was absolutely stunning. A beautiful Brunello with Canalicchio's trademark charm, relaxed style, and classic refinement. Its perfume of red fruits, spices, and earth was beguiling. Its seamless balance help make it pleasurable to drink even now, though as always it needs ten years to evolve to its full potential. It is worth the wait.

Post-dinner, we were treated up-close to some of the most exotic cars in the world, like the rare Ferrari Aperta, a convertible 599, of which only 80 were built.

Ah, the Ferrari F40, one of the most coveted Ferraris by collectors. It is a special edition to celebrate Ferrari's 40th anniversary. My first time to view one this close, it looks intimidating even standing still.

Frankly, the Ferrari I would love to own is the new FF, the four-wheel-drive, four-seater. The first Ferrari "family car".  It is a radical departure for Ferrari to build a four-seater and a four-wheel-drive. I love its long, sleek, body lines. Totally sexy.