Similar thoughts. I hope he enjoys his retirement, his endless appearance opportunities, his fine wine collection, and his family and friends. Love him or hate him, he revolutionized the fine wine market, led many of us to many incredible wines (and Monkey 47 gin), and is certainly worthy of the Wine Hall of Fame.
Cue magnums of 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape. I wonder if there will be another like Parker or if the circumstances that made The Wine Advocate (and Parker) what it (he) was will never exist again. Love him or hate him, people generally had a reaction.
He is an amazing individual who had a career like few ever see or experience. I will miss him and this is truly well deserved. I don’t think wine would be the near ubiquitous beverage it is in the US if it was not for his influence.
Yes, and come to think of it, whatever you think of his rating methods, he made a significant contribution to the idea that what’s important is how wine actually tastes, not how well known it is or hype.
Yes, and come to think of it, whatever you think of his rating methods, he made a significant contribution to the idea that what’s important is how wine actually tastes, not how well known it is or hype.
Bob Wood:
Quite true, except the rating itself becomes another sort of hype.
I too learned an incredible amount from Parker’s writing. I found him less relevant as the years passed, but he was a force in the industry up until he relinquished control of the Advocate, and it’s strange to think that was only a decade ago.
Like it or not, so much of modern winemaking is a product of his taste, and despite some roll back, he still remains hugely important in California, and he changed forever the fortunes of several wine regions, particularly Southern Rhone. My guess is that history will judge him favorably. Long may he enjoy his retirement, it is well earned.