The other thing that savvy collectors can do to protect themselves from potential fraud is to look for the underrated, top vintages, such as 1962 or 1966 in Bordeaux, 1979 or 1986 for red Burgundy, or 1970 or 1979 for maturing Piemonte wines. John Gilman, author of the newsletter The View from the Cellar , joins us again for a Q&A.

Doug and LuAnn Meador founded Ventana in the 1970's. Interestingly enough the red in the package this month was a syrah. was about to pop a bottle of boutique Monterey syrah. After the pinotage blend it was time for the 2003 Ventana syrah. On the palate the signature syrah spice came at me at a smooth pace. Cheer