Mark Squires No Longer Reviewing Greek or Israeli Wines?

WINE TALK
21

Now that’s the kind of stuff I trudge thru these threads looking for - thanks

22

+1. As unpopular as he may be on this BB, I’ve had enough non-board interactions with Mark to learn that he is quite generous and a very serious/experienced wine professional.

RT

23

I recently brought an 04 to a blind tasting. Most thought it was old world in style - a little of that bdx funk. I guess Jerusalem is truly the “old world” isn’t it. Visited the winery last year. Wines before 2003 are not Kosher, but there is no difference in how they are made before or since. I recommend the 2004 or the 2007 (soon to be released if you are going to try one).

24

I will add to the chorus - Mark deserves credit for taking his assignment seriously and has done a very good job. I am familar with the Greek wines in particular and can’t find fault in what he has done there.

A.

25

You missed the final piece of the puzzle…

I will be covering Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Ural, and Yakutsk. Possibly Siberia and Siam, if lucky enough and i perform well…

wish me well…

Scott

26

So long as some one is covering Siam (and Thailand, China and India for that matter) I will be a happy camper.

27

I agree. Perhaps Mark could offer Dr. Jay some tutoring on approaching the job seriously.

28

Let me add to the chorus. Mark has been studious and surprisingly humble in his excellent reviews. Part of it is invariably a lot of time to polish the apple, but I really think he has done an excellent job.

29

I haven’t seen the printed reviews but Squires has said several times that he doesn’t think using the proper diacritical marks in Português names is important (even though they change pronunciation and even meaning). Do the printed reviews include the proper characters (Dão for instance)?

30

Quick, get a ro^pe, I mean a r^ope, ro^ope a r^^ope…ah screw it.

RT

31

Andrew,

I agree with you and others in this thread who have said similar things. I’m a big fan of Greek wine, and appreciate it getting reviewed in a major publication. I also think Mark’s palate is very good, and was impressed with his comments the one time we ate and drank together. I just think he’s a poor wine board moderator. On the other hand, he works for Bob on eBob, and was under orders to do some of the more reprehensible things he’s done over there. I welcome his reviews though (unlike those of JSM).

32

They don’t do that for any language, e.g. German. I guess their SW doesn’t support it. I’m sure they’ll include that with MyWines, since CT already supports it. [rofl.gif]

33

No one reads Squires reviews, except for Velebil and Yaacov.

Interestingly enough, Sherry will be reviewed in 2011, no time in 2010, according to Miller. He is just too busy.

5294 TNs…5294 free meals…coincidence?

34

appalling.

i’ve already emailed bob about taking over the burgundy coverage. i’ll let you guys know how it works out. thanks for your support in advance.

re: squires and moderation, he is caught in a tough place. he was dealt a really shitty hand (i.e., being Bob’s perpetual bitch) and played it poorly.

35

Clearly you don’t have many friends in the Greek, Israeli, Cypriot, Bulgarian and Romanian-wine drinking communities.

36

That’s a hoot. For years everyone gave Bob a pass because it was “Squires’ forum” and now we’re going to blame Bob and give Mark the slack? I’ll submit that they were both willing and active participants in the inexcusably poor approach to forum management.

And yes, compared with JSM, Squires’ reviews are good.

37

And GaryVee can review the fine wines of Belarus [soap.gif]

As far as wine reviews and tasting notes are concerned - I agree with those who appreciated Mark’s work in that respect.

38

Do you really think his goal was to knock them down? Some of the wines are actually quite fantastic. I think Mark did a nice, fair job. Amazing really since he is such a jerk. However, with these reviews at least he has been conscientious and studious. There, that’s it, I can’t say anything else nice about the petty, hateful man, but I can’t actually knock his reviewing.

39

Serge you are incredible (and I mean that in the best way). My only point is that, as petty and awful as Mark is, and he is petty and awful, he has done a very nice job with his reviews. I hate to say ANYTHING nice about the horrible man, but his reviews are professional and solid. That is all.

As for Leve, I consider him a friend. He has his flaws as do I, but underneath it there is a nice guy. Not in the same league as Squires.