Hirsch bought his land on the Sonoma Coast, just three miles from the Pacific, in 1978 and planted a portion to pinot noir in 1980. Ten years ago, vineyard owner David Hirsch of Sonoma brought some of his wines to New York. So it was that the 1997 Chardonnay that we tasted was made by Williams-Selyem but the 2007 was from Hirsch Vineyards. MORE >>

That's okay, because then we drank the 1978 , the most exalted of Gentaz vintages, from what I am told. The other night I did something that I have never done before, and most likely will never do again. drank a Marius Gentaz Côte-Rôtie. And for the past few years, I've been keeping my eyes open. Sounds like a lot, right? Wow, what a night. MORE >>

Produttori del Barbaresco, Barbaresco, 2006 : This excellent nebbiolo can age (the 1978 is drinking well today, apparently ). With all the hype about the Bordeaux campaign to pre-selling their 2010 wines, it made me think: surely there are more affordable, just as age-worthy alternatives out there. And around $30 a bottle? Under $30. Roda I. MORE >>

Last month, Robert Parker announced editorial changes at the publication he founded in 1978. There’s a new order at the Wine Advocate. To get to know Galloni better, I recently emailed him a few questions on a wide range of topics. He took a break from tasting in Burgundy, where he is now, to respond. His unedited replies follow below. MORE >>

And then there were the two Baroli, the 1982 Giacomo Conterno Monfortino Riserva Barolo and the 1978 Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio Villero Barolo. The other day I was lucky enough to attend the luncheon honoring Levi Dalton, the head sommelier at Convivio who is now moving to Alto. Supposedly it takes forever for one of these to come around. MORE >>