Not sure what your beef with wool is but your comment shows incomplete understanding of how wool works. While wool does absorb some water it keeps it away from the skin. Despite the fact that it absorbs some water, it's ability to manage moisture is still considered excellent as are synthetics.

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/underwear.html

The beauty of wool is that it works at both ends of the temperature spectrum to keep you warmer in winter and cooler in summer. It's also natural, antibacterial, and sustainable.

Everyone should try various fabrics and determine what works best for them and their particular climate, but to argue that wool can't or shouldn't be used as a base layer is silly given that many people find it very effective. After rides in hot and cold weather, hikes and snowshoeing trips using wool I have never once felt wet or cold even though the base layer is often quite damp feeling when I remove it. What's interesting is that I can put this damp feeling shirt back on and it feels both warm and comfortable.

This is a nice article explaining the properties of wool and synthetics as well as some field test comparisons.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-..._clothing.html