Agree user reviews do prevent their own issues. One of those linked articles is about the confusion over the meaning of 'dry' in the contexts of sweetness and tannins.

> ...probably best way is still ask some good wine buyer, describe what you like and he might recommend wines he likes that loosely fits your description.

Best advice I've gotten/give is find an importer/distributor (eg Kermit Lynch) and rely on their selections.