But today I'm writing to ask you that you as a rule, include basic information on your wine labels. Information that will aid consumers like me in making purchasing decisions. understand that you typically blend with reserve wines, but I don't think that is a good excuse for omitting this important piece of information. MORE >>

Note how "Girard" is in script and the information on the label is in type. As previously reported, the 2002 Girard Caberent Franc Napa Valley displays bright and luscious strawberry notes on opening. History, like beauty, is in the mind of the beholder. That was the end of the beginning of Girard. It's clean and elegant. Elegance. MORE >>

wine I really loved and found quite unique was the 2005 Domaine de Roally Vire'-Clesse' from the Macconnais, France. tasted 4 of them; a 2005 from grapes with botrytis (a desirable mold that when properly managed leads to long lived sweet wines), and 3 Vouvray. Interestingly enough, they make a 100% grenache wine called the (2005) St. MORE >>

But they are different from the same wine in 2002, for example, in that they might mature more quickly. It certainly went well with steak, but it was not memorable, didn't inspire me to buy the 2005 version ($35) and lay it down. The label said 1947 but there was no other identifying information regarding the designation. MORE >>

But then Peter Liem in his truly excellent blog Besotted Ramblings and Other Drivel wrote about Damien Laureau's Savennières in his February 9, 2008 post (to which I cannot seem to create a link), calling it the finest example of Savennières from 2005. 2005 was a very good year in Savennières, as it was in most of France. Rabbit? MORE >>