am definitely one of those people. remember loving the 2005 almost immediately upon release because it was so open and expressive. I heard a story that I liked recently about Frédéric Mugnier , who makes some of the finest red wine in the world: he was asked what he drinks when he drinks white wine. MORE >>

The first is another great winter white, the 2005 Domaine du Vieux Pressoir Saumur Blanc Elegance , ($13 Sip Fine Wines). like her definition of wine of the year - much more compelling than top 100 lists and things like that. Why, drink wine, of course. This is a producer whose wines I might need to explore a bit further. MORE >>

2005 Puzelat Touraine La Tesni è re , a lovely smoky and funky white made of Menu Pineau, and the 2004 Puzelat Touraine La Tesni è re , a red made of Pineau D'Aunis. love these wines, but let me tell you - they definitely got a mixed reception from this crowd. The more I learn about wine, the more I realize that I don't know. MORE >>

Very tight aromatically, but there are hints of chalky rock and citrus fruit, and there is a definite oxidative character to the fruit. We then enjoyed two wines from the 2005 vintage with my fish soup. 2005 is thought to be a great vintage because, as in most of France, conditions were essentially perfect. But close. MORE >>

found the wine at Total Wine & More in Virginia Beach for $23, so I can't call it a great buy, but it is definitely a good buy and will look for more Michael Shaps wine on my next trip to Virginia. While in Virginia on vacation, I picked up four bottles of Virginia wines, figuring I would try all four and choose one to review. MORE >>