Term for a vintage that is actually very good but is "in the shadow" of an even greater one that immediately preceded or followed it. Significant examples of such "shadow years" are 1920 versus 1921, 1928 versus 1929, 1962 versus 1961, 1985 versus 1986 and 1989 versus 1990. See also Century Wine and Most Expensive Wines of the World.
The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.
Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena