Has the Wine Advocate basically given up at this point?

J_a_y_H_a_c_k · September 9, 2020, 1:46pm

Haters gotta hate, as I have said before. The 2010 Stockholm Syndrome Syrah was outstanding on Sunday night and, once again, on of our guests said it was her favorite of the night and a great wine. AND she has had well more than her share of tete de cuvee Champagne. I haven’t read a professional review of an SQN wine for many years but I buy them. I think it is too bad that you Francophiles can’t decide what wine to buy unless some review tells you first that it is good. Why else is their such a fuss about en primeur tasting notes.

J_a_y_H_a_c_k · September 9, 2020, 1:47pm

Haters gotta hate, as I have said before. The 2010 Stockholm Syndrome Syrah was outstanding on Sunday night and, once again, on of our guests said it was her favorite of the night and a great wine. AND she has had well more than her share of tete de cuvee Champagne. I haven’t read a professional review of an SQN wine for many years but I buy them. I think it is too bad that you Francophiles can’t decide what wine to buy unless some professional reviewer tells you first what you are supposed to like. Why else is their such a fuss about en primeur tasting notes?

Robert.A.Jr · September 9, 2020, 2:08pm

And such a shame. Les Carmes Haut Brion was actually a better Bordeaux, at least more interesting. Now it’s damn good, but more universal in style. If you like that, good for you, but it will also cost you 2x-3x more than it used to cost. All of these new critics and modern critics constantly pimping new this and new that, and “improved quality” usually means the Chateau brought in a modernist consultant as well with a goal of formulaic production that scores them big points among those critics that swoon over that modern style.

Not sure what you’re reffering to but what happened to Carmes is probably the opposite of what you describe here. A Bordeaux winery that does whole closter fermentation and a lot of amphore ageing, keeps the alcohol level below everybody else on the left bank, is probably the opposite of what “modern” style means, a “modernist” consultant would advise and a “modern” critic would like.

Andy, do a side-by-side of Les Carmes before and after. And then let’s chat, otherwise we are just two ships passing in the night.

I really wonder about this whole amphora trend. Doesn’t Pontet Canet use it some. I don’t think many classic Bordeaux drinkers rave about Pontet. But back to Les Carmes, only 5% gets amphora, the rest gets all new baby fresh 100% French oak for 18 months. Like I said, try some early versions and tell me if you see a distinction on the oak profile and texture of the wine. It is far more glossy and new world. Yes, modern. As I mentioned, the Cab Franc - lots of it old vine - saves this wine despite its change, and I think keeps the alcohol a bit lower than if more merlot were in the cut. Now bear in mind, the 2015 is still over 14% according to Leve.

As I mentioned, I like this wine.

Howard_Cooper · September 9, 2020, 7:11pm

So what I’m wondering is whether anyone will really buy or not buy based on a review. All of the people on this thread have opinions on the various wines. Take Realm for example. If you know it and like it are you seriously going to avoid it because it got a few points less than last year? Or are you going to buy it because it got a few more points than last year?

Alternatively, since people profess not to care about points and prefer to read the reviews (see John’s Bingo thread), will anyone make or decline a purchase based on the presence of cast iron pans or whatever in the verbiage?

There are some decent writers and I can understand reading someone for his insights or comments on a region, vintage, etc., but that wouldn’t make one more or less relevant.

For a lot of people, a high score from the WA has historically influenced the flip value of the wine. My guess is that this is a good bit of the reason why people who buy a wine anyway want a WA score. Also, bragging rights - Look at me, I am drinking a 98 point wine.

Does that last line have a double meaning? Did you open a bottle of 2019 Falkenstein No. 11?

I did not even think of that. And, I have not opened up one. But, good thought and I am glad I have the wine.

Howard_Cooper · September 9, 2020, 7:15pm

Boy, my comment must have really bothered you since you made the same comment about it twice. Why do you care so much about my opinion of a wine you know I would not like?

And, when is there a fuss about en primeur tasting notes on Burgundy, which is primarily the French wine I buy.

Colin_Haggerty · September 10, 2020, 1:13am

Just my two cents:

Jeb Dunnuck is a top-notch professional whose reviews have always been helpful to me. His Washington State reviews (IMHO) are authoritative. I also highly regard his reviews of wines from the Rhone, California and Bordeaux.

William Kelley’s reviews of Burgundy and Champagne are superb, as is his coverage of California and Washington State.

These are two guys who carry lots of “street cred” in my wine circles.

Cheers!

Colin

Colin_Haggerty · September 10, 2020, 1:40am

Like with any critics publication I read the WA mostly to learn about wines, vintages, regions, development in these regions, etc. The scores are not that important to me (although when everybody says that this or that wine is special this year, then it certainly influences me. But it’s always more a consensus than a single critic that would influence me).

With more writers and more regular (and more focused) articles vs a few large whole region covering articles before, the WA is better and more valuable these days compared to where it was a few years ago. So many articles, so much insight. There is not just Will Kelley, which was a great addition, but Gutierrez, Larner, Reinhardt are great as well, both incredibly hard working and providing so much context in the articles and notes – even though I found my palate not really matching with these three. I have little exposure to the others (less interested in their regions).

Thanks, we do work hard. Covid-19 and the challenging logistics of gathering huge sample groups has encouraged us to write smaller, more focused reports. It’s a welcome editorial change because it frees up the publishing bottleneck we faced with the print edition.

Thank you for reading.

Monica:

I have always found value in your reviews, but never so much as after having spent some time in Italy (in 2019). It provided me better context and understanding of your descriptors. You are one of the reasons why I have had a WA subscription for so many years.

Colin

Monica_Larner · September 11, 2020, 4:24am

Grazie Colin,
Le tue parole fanno molto piacere! It’s amazing how motivating the positive feedback can be.
We continue to work hard for the best coverage we can muster.
Best,
Monica

Freelon_F_Hunter · September 12, 2020, 4:58am

Hey Monica,

I too appreciate your work - it helps me sort through all the excellent BdM’s, Barbaresco’s, and Barolo’s coming into the market right now. Cheers!

Jay_Miller · September 14, 2020, 7:35pm

The name itself explains why you enjoyed it.

Ian_Dorin · September 14, 2020, 7:49pm

Funny, I had the Stockholm Syndrone vs. 2003 La Turque several years ago at Xmas, and the SQN was the HANDS DOWN winner. Wasn’t even close. The 2003 La Turque was so over the top and and sweet, it was really hard to enjoy. The Stockholm was outstanding, and something I would seek to drink again for sure.

Sadly, It wasn’t WOTN, that trophy went to 1997 Bryant Family. It was arguably the greatest California wine I’ve ever had.

Jay_Opperman · September 14, 2020, 9:07pm

I agree with you Ian…I’ve had the 97 Bryant 6 times this past year and it’s at its apogee.Agreed that for me along with 51 BV and 74 Heitz MV its the best wine ever from California.

Jay_Miller · September 14, 2020, 9:44pm

lol,

J_a_y_H_a_c_k · September 14, 2020, 10:17pm

Termanthia.