2002 Pewsey Vale The Contours Riesling, Eden Valley. 2001 Cullen Wines Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Margaret River. 2001 Dalwhinnie Eagle Series Shiraz, Pyrenees. 2002 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling, Clare Valley. 2002 Peter Lehmann Reserve Riesling, Eden Valley. 2002 Castagna Genesis Syrah, Beechworth. MORE >>

decided that I wouldn't try to impress him with Grand Cru Burgundy and things like that. 2002 Luneau-Papin Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Excelsior Clos des Noelles with fish soup. 2001 Dirler Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Kessle r with a stinky Bavarian Muenster cheese. And I'll use the beginning of the new year as an excuse to do this. MORE >>

It is almost cliché to say that Burgundy is a crap shoot, every bottle a roll of the dice. Which part of Volnay was hit by hail in 2001? If you're into Burgundy, you know I'm not kidding or exaggerating. do exactly the same thing when buying Burgundy wine in the $20-40 zone, the range that I tend to live in. MORE >>

have been sampling some older experiments using this strategy, a few 2001 Pinots from Oregon and Burgundy, 2002 was considered the star vintage in both regions. This kind of thinking is especially important for me now that every few years it seems to be "the vintage of the century" in Burgundy (or Bordeaux, others too). MORE >>

This happens to me most often with Burgundy wines, as I have not yet had enough Champagne to be badly burned. In Burgundy, even in a "classic" (meaning not exceptional, but not bad either) vintage, a solid producer can sell wine, even village level wine, for over $50 a bottle. But Burgundy is hit or miss, and everybody knows it. MORE >>