Sunday, October 13, 2013

Robert Parker's Winopause

For the past couple months since Parker has sold out to a group of Asian investors, the wine world has been buzzing with pros and cons about it. Some go as far as declaring that his influence on the American palate has been declining for over a decade, some are pissed off about it and some wanna hang the guy for selling out. I say, good for you Bobby. It's the quintessential American dream, you start a business, you build it, you work your ass off. Then you sell it to the highest bidder, retire to Florida and spend the rest of your days playing golf and annoying the waiters in the local restaurants with your 5 o'clock dinners. Let his, now über rich son, worry about future.
Has he been a huge influence on the market? Hell yes!!! Do I like the guy? I used to, up until a few years ago, when he went the way of the WS magazine and started awarding points to whomever had enough cash to either buy a crap load of advertising in his magazine, or sponsor a nice little vacation to their chateau in Bordeaux. Listen,  as far as I'm concerned, the guy is awesome. He introduced South American wines, Oregon and Washington wines, he had the decency to not sell advertising to kangaroo wines. But in the end, as it turns out it was a business, and as much as people hate to admit it, he made money. A boat load of it. God bless.
I'm not a big fan of selling wines based on points, but it sure helps. Shelf tokens, case cards, posters whatever helps. 9 out of 10 people that walk into a store to shop around, can be influenced because of points, and if anybody ever tells you that the points and the package don't help selling the wine, he's full of it.
Luca Malbec, is one of those. Parker gives the 2010 vintage 93 points. If this bottle went for $1 a point it would still be worth it, but instead it's around $30. It is made by Laura Catena, who's name should ring a bell to anybody who ever had a bottle of wine. I'm not gonna talk about elevation and Argentinian areas, or how they collect rain water. I'm just gonna tell you that it tastes like berries and black fruit, even espresso. It has an unbelievable long finish and a dark almost ink like colour. Get one and find for yourself.
Pairing? This one reviewer on line said Irish Stew. I'm all over that, I just need to find a good recipe and get cooking. If I can't find a recipe, than I guess we are having steaks tonight.
Parker? God bless him! there should be more people like him.