Our bottle of 2007 Domaine de la Pépière Muscadet Clos des Briords was corked, sadly, as was our 2005 Luneau-Papin L D'Or. The palate was as youthful as the 2005 I had a few months ago. Domaine de la Pépière's Granite de Clisson is an example of this kind of wine - a superb wine last produced in 2005. Someone said pineapple. MORE >>

In this first posting, John discusses what would be in his cellar if he were starting collecting today, what he drinks at home on a Tuesday night, the most underrated wines for aging, where Lafite 2005 will be in five years, and what would be his “desert island wine.&# Will a case of Lafite 2005 be higher or lower in 12 months? MORE >>

still love Pinot, but moreso the wines of Burgundy, Cheverny in the Loire Valley, or the Jura. 2005 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Ribbon Springs Vineyard , $44. 2005 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Elizabeth's Reserve , $44. 2005 St Innocent Pinot Noir Justice Vineyard , $35. 2005 St Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard , $39. MORE >>

Dressner did cut a few corners this year, for example by refusing to hire staff for the tables and thereby forcing wine makers from small villages scattered throughout the Loire Valley to travel all the way to NYC to pour the wines themselves. loved the 2005, not as much the 2006, never saw the 2007, and now we have the 2008. MORE >>

2005 François Chidaine Montlouis sur Loire Les Tuffeaux , $23, Louis/Dressner Selections. This wine might have done better with a young chalky goat cheese from the Loire Valley. There are some great cheeses produced in New York and Vermont. Hudson Red is not the stinkiest of washed rind cheeses, but it's not tame. MORE >>