The problem is basically you both make valid points. There is a lot of expensive crappy wine out there. There is also a lot of decent wine that doesn’t cost a lot. What is decent and what is crap is all in the eye of the beholder. Too much emphasis is given on expert ratings. I’ve never read a wine speculator, not even once. I’ve never read Parker either. I’d prefer to figure out what I like on my own.

I’ve found the easiest way to do that is to join a tasting group. Mine meets every Friday at Vintage wines at 5. Its because of this group that I know what I do. Half the fun is disagreeing.
Josh