Many like to poo poo guides and say, 'trust your own palate'. These are people who have ready local access to wines of all types. If you like a certain type of wine (i'll let you guess mine...) and you can NOT drive and buy one bottle, or if you order one bottle online, the shipping costs as much as the wine. One must buy a case. There are many people like me that have to order wine online. How many people order a case of wine plus shipping by a producer they have never had before because they are using the 'force' ? You need a point of reference before investment. At least I do. I've never bought a G-M but I buy Eichelmann and look to Decanter mag sometimes, since I prefer their multiple taster review process. Reviews of all kinds are important, even if it is a contrarian view.
Guides...
Many like to poo poo guides and say, 'trust your own palate'. These are people who have ready local access to wines of all types. If you like a certain type of wine (i'll let you guess mine...) and you can NOT drive and buy one bottle, or if you order one bottle online, the shipping costs as much as the wine. One must buy a case. There are many people like me that have to order wine online. How many people order a case of wine plus shipping by a producer they have never had before because they are using the 'force' ? You need a point of reference before investment. At least I do. I've never bought a G-M but I buy Eichelmann and look to Decanter mag sometimes, since I prefer their multiple taster review process. Reviews of all kinds are important, even if it is a contrarian view.