In Part 2, I am going to tell you a little more about the Wine Advocate and International Wine Cellar. Unlike the Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast, neither publication takes advertising, and each is based upon a single critic (although both have expanded enough to have a staff of reviewers.)
The Wine Advocate:
There is probably more controversy surrounding Robert Parker, the founder of the Wine Advocate, than any other figure in the wine industry. A rating of 90 or above from Parker is not only good for sales of a particular wine- but can speed along sales of the wine’s future vintages and even other wines from that producer. Many think that too much power rests with one palate- particularly because Parker seems to favor highly extracted, bold, big fruit wines. Some think this has lead to the “Parkerization” of wine; many wineries employ techniques, such as leaving grapes on the vine longer, to create ripe, high alcohol wines thereby increasing their scores from Parker. Despite the controversy and criticism, I do enjoy Parker’s (and his Staff’s) reviews- and consider him the foremost authority on Bordeaux wines. I particularly like the write ups of Advocate writer, David Schildnecht, who can put more adjectives in one wine review than anyone else I have ever seen.
In Fine Cote du Ventoux 2008
“An intro-level Grenache-Syrah blend from Domaine de Cascavel’s Raphael Troullier whose quality completely belies its low price, this 2008 Cotes du Ventoux smells vividly of fresh black raspberries with hints of nutmeg and ginger. Mouth-filling, sweetly ripe, and fresh, with brown spice and bitter herbal accents, it finishes with sappy persistence, albeit a hint of heat. Enjoy this over the next 9-12 months.”
87 points Wine Advocate
$11.99
Villa des Anges 2009
“Another outstanding value from Villa des Anges, their 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon exudes cassis, elderberry, and licorice, with hints of burley tobacco, black olive, and saliva-inducing salt adding interest to its persistent finish. While a tad more rustically tannic than the corresponding 2008 (which I tipped in issue 184 as a remarkable and truly improbable value), this outstanding value ought to drink well for the next 9-12 months (beyond that one could as yet only speculate).”
88 points Wine Advocate
$9.99
The International Wine Cellar:
Founded by Stephen Tanzer, a former editor of Food & Wine magazine, the International Wine Cellar is much less well known than many other sources for wine reviews, but it is my favorite. For whatever reason, Tanzer and I are palate twins. What he likes, I like- and generally for the same reasons. Although a score from Tanzer might not drive sales as much as one from other publications, International Wine Cellar write ups are highly regarded among people in the wine industry. They are concise, descriptive and, in my opinion, accurate. He is a particularly go-to guy for reviews on wines from the up and coming regions out of Spain- many of which we carry.
Yard Dog White 2009
Spicy citrus and orchard fruits on the nose, with complicating notes of musky herbs and white pepper. Supple in texture and refreshingly bitter, with incisive lemon/lime flavors and a deeper note of pear skin. Finishes dry and slightly hard-edged, the spicy note repeating.
87 points International Wine Cellar
$10.99
Heredad Ugarte 2009
“Raspberry and cherry on the nose, with a bright note of white pepper. Light-bodied, but slightly watery red fruit flavors show good freshness but could use more heft. Finishes gently sweet and with good spiciness.”
87 points International Wine Cellar
$14.99
