http://www.pinotblogger.com/2006/12/06/the-reviewer-reserve-scandal/ A blog about starting and building a family winery in the Russian River Valley. Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:00:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://www.pinotblogger.com/2006/12/06/the-reviewer-reserve-scandal/comment-page-1/#comment-7549 JimKay Sun, 10 Dec 2006 03:07:42 +0000 http://www.pinotblogger.com/2006/12/06/the-reviewer-reserve-scandal/#comment-7549 I have read similar rumors out of the <em>en primieur </em>tastings at Bordeaux. Wines are tasted about seven months after harvest. They are supposedly representative of wines that won't be release until two years later. The final blend may not even be assmebled yet. The price of the wine is heavily influenced by the reviews generated from the sample presented at that event. There must be tremendous pressure to make a "reviewers" blend for the event. I have read similar rumors out of the en primieur tastings at Bordeaux. Wines are tasted about seven months after harvest. They are supposedly representative of wines that won’t be release until two years later. The final blend may not even be assmebled yet. The price of the wine is heavily influenced by the reviews generated from the sample presented at that event. There must be tremendous pressure to make a “reviewers” blend for the event.

]]> http://www.pinotblogger.com/2006/12/06/the-reviewer-reserve-scandal/comment-page-1/#comment-7441 Alex Thu, 07 Dec 2006 18:27:00 +0000 http://www.pinotblogger.com/2006/12/06/the-reviewer-reserve-scandal/#comment-7441 I think this situation is more a case of "much ado about nothing," at least from the perspective of its possible harm to wine media credibility. The merits of wine scores aren't going to change because of a scandal such as this one since, well, wine publications exist in a capitalist market, not a meritocracy. But I agree with you, Josh, that ultimately wine production is part agricuture and part artisan craftsmanship. Stated differently, if you want the same cheese every time, buy Velveeta. *) I think this situation is more a case of “much ado about nothing,” at least from the perspective of its possible harm to wine media credibility. The merits of wine scores aren’t going to change because of a scandal such as this one since, well, wine publications exist in a capitalist market, not a meritocracy. But I agree with you, Josh, that ultimately wine production is part agricuture and part artisan craftsmanship. Stated differently, if you want the same cheese every time, buy Velveeta. *)

]]> http://www.pinotblogger.com/2006/12/06/the-reviewer-reserve-scandal/comment-page-1/#comment-7437 Winecast - A wine blog and podcast Thu, 07 Dec 2006 16:30:00 +0000 http://www.pinotblogger.com/2006/12/06/the-reviewer-reserve-scandal/#comment-7437 [...] Update: I noticed that Wither Hills winemaker Brent Marris has posted an open letter on the situation with his side of the story.  Kudos for the transparency, Mr. Marris.  Given Josh’s comments yesterday, I’ll accept that this was just a result of differing bottling runs and not an attempt at pulling a fast one on critics. [...] [...] Update: I noticed that Wither Hills winemaker Brent Marris has posted an open letter on the situation with his side of the story.  Kudos for the transparency, Mr. Marris.  Given Josh’s comments yesterday, I’ll accept that this was just a result of differing bottling runs and not an attempt at pulling a fast one on critics. [...]

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