i know you've been on this issue for a while edward, and it's about time that NY and hopefully other states come around. fortunately IL is an open state, i just can't imagine not having this option to ship stuff here. i hold out scant hope for ohio, any state that sets retail prices is so far behind the pricing curve that there is little if any hope for them.

I tasted the '02 Monte Bello from barrel, and thought it was pretty good -- bought a 6-pack on futures. I'm not really a competent judge of barrel samples, but based on my impression, the positive comments of other more experienced folks, and the relatively reasonable price of futures, I figured it was a buy.

For the last couple of years, I have been buying the futures. Can't beat the price, about half price. I have mine shipped to a friend in CA. I travel to CA about twice a year and pick up my stockpile of various wines and bring them back with me.