You know, I said I wasn’t going to make a list for fear that it would consume the boards entire inventory of ones and zeros, or that I’d leave some obvious source of wisdom out and regret it.
But your post prompts me to make one exception. As you say, @Frank_Murray_III is unique in his irrepressible positivity, generosity and public spirit. I love you all for different reasons, but Frank is the best of us. The board is a better place with him on it.
I think honorable mention needs to be given to people like @Tim_Heaton , @Oliver_McCrum , @Gregory_Dal_Piaz , and @Ken_V . None of them are the most active posters, but their contributions, especially regarding Italian wines, have been hugely valuable to me and I have much enjoyed seeking out their words and suggestions elsewhere.
It would be great if @Gregory_Dal_Piaz posts more (or updates his website!).
I would love to hear his take on the '19-'20-'21 Barolo vintages.
I knew I’d forget a bunch of folks!
Like Neal, I’m reluctant to post any list like that, invariably I will leave out some folks that have been important to me. That said, it all comes back to @ToddFrench for taking on this crazy mission to start and run a website that has now become THE international platform for wine discourse. Hard to really describe the value of the community he has created. He created friendships that are long-enduring, and many among people that have never - and might not ever - meet each other. And he has also become a very dear friend to me. In the spirit of this thread, he has taught me how to reverse sear a steak, introduced me to ribeye over filet, shown me and a few others how remarkable of a father and husband he is - one to be emulated - and has added an additional dimension of fun, and has even shown me entrepreneurial skills and counseled me on a business deal (true). If you are around Todd, you will laugh, you might dance, you will take and get a lot of sh*t, and somehow you will end up engaging in deep conversions on “a myriad of subjects.” He has also taught me how to properly decant wine for clarity, a pet peeve of his. I’ve learned a lot from this good friend. He’s made me a better person.
Kissing up to Todd is not going to get you the Ovid-cru status you’re looking for.
B@itch, I’m angling for MacDonald level! Ovid is so 2008.
and you’re in full MacDonald level now, baby!
Well said, my friend, very well said.
In a similar vein, @Eric_Ifune and @AAgrawal have been terrific guides to old Port/Madeira and Sauternes respectively.
I cannot agree more - truly the ENTIRE REASON for WB’s existence is this!
I decided to learn about wine some 20+ years ago not by reading books, but by surrounding myself with insight, professional and amateur, via wine forums. Obviously Parker’s forum was the place to be at the time, so that’s where I hung out, capturing random facts and opinions of all regions, varietals, stemware, etc.
Until I was kicked off, obviously…
Because I still didn’t want to read books, rather, take in the information from thousands of wine lovers, I had to start my own forum and hope it stuck, and it did!!
I know so little, even still (remarkably little, frankly), so I rely on the knowledge and expertise of so many of you. Many Berserkers ‘specialize’ in a region, and it shows, and I gladly soak it in, as I’ll never have that level of experience.
Let the learning continue for all of us who come here to do so!!!
No list. That said, I’ve been blown away by all who come here to share their knowledge and experiences and how much I’ve learned and continue to learn whenever I come here. Really an incredible group of folks here. Thanks to Todd, to all of you who contribute, and especially to Linda and to Bob for steering me here way back when. 
YES! Some of WB’s best early recruiters!!
I’ve learned so much from so many people here but I want to give a special shout out to Charlie Fu
His recommendation during lock down of using Blake bottles for zoom tastings led to the formation of a wonderful tasting group which is still going strong today
If I have the time and energy (both rarities) I’ll try and call out a few more special people but until then thank you all
I interpret “full” to mean the full vertical.
#Highlands2025.3
Too bad he has a Saumur palate…
But of there’s a Rougeard Cru level, how do I get in?
That would be Highlands 2045 - these wines need time, baby
Thank you. Unfortunately despite how much I love it, Madeira still is pretty much a nitch wine.
I do want to humbly thank this forum. I often may not come across as humble, but at least on wine, 99% of you humble me. The main reason I joined and remain is I quickly saw the knowledge and am trying to learn. I don’t participate as much in the wine forums, as I’m not very confident that I have much to contribute–but I read every word. It was a pleasant surprise when I learned that most of you are dirty hippies, that love music, food, travel, bicycles, politics, and pets. I especially want to thank the cesspool of the politics sub-forum.
Now if only you could train him on gummies…