When are certain vintages "released"?

[Thomas]

leslie, it is getting harder and harder to come by those Italian 97 vintages; they are running out.

Here is another reason to know about vintages: the Wine Spectator recently gave 1998/9 Pesquier Gigondas a 94 Rating--now, my distributor no longer has the wine in stock. I had been selling the 98 before the rating, but since the rating I am no longer able to get it. I can get the 96 from the distributor.

[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 12-13-2001).]