Dates on Wines

[Wine-O]

Hello,
In reading the many messages posted on the board I am noticing that when a wine is recommended the year or vintage, I believe it's called (bare with me I am really new at this), is something that is taken into consideration. I'm just wondering where in the line of importance does it fall when picking out a wine and what should I be looking for??? [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/confused.gif[/img]