tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post6179482803138144132..comments2024-03-18T04:47:16.199-07:00Comments on The Gray Report: An open letter to Marvin ShankenW. Blake Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17755307711801965966noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-861004213071379112010-09-27T13:02:59.448-07:002010-09-27T13:02:59.448-07:00I am curious as to how you reconcile the comment:
...I am curious as to how you reconcile the comment:<br /><br />"Nobody who knows wine respects James Laube's ratings"<br /><br />with the 4 page inside-front-cover ad in the Oct issue of the Wine Spectator? Someone is spending a lot of ad $ based purely on Laube's ratings...<br /><br />John in NapaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-89714340712727977362010-09-17T18:49:45.840-07:002010-09-17T18:49:45.840-07:00We can all say something about critics, after we a...We can all say something about critics, after we are able to say that the 100-point scoring is a great American contribution to wine in so far as it is used by consumers to fill an information void created by the wine industry. If ‘The Score” ‘was not something that was created in wine country it would be another story. But in wine country there is a culture of the cover up of quality, witness Leo McCloskeyhttp://enologix.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-64338386799410347572010-09-15T14:13:37.361-07:002010-09-15T14:13:37.361-07:00Thanks to everyone for reading and commenting. Whi...Thanks to everyone for reading and commenting. While I would like to respond and answer as I often do, in this case I have had my say, and believe it is not appropriate for me to augment it.W. Blake Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17755307711801965966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-88528168388869753342010-09-14T20:59:42.599-07:002010-09-14T20:59:42.599-07:00While I do think the discussion is helpful, and th...While I do think the discussion is helpful, and think that the ratings in most wine publications are worthless, I don't know why everyone is so quick to praise what they perceive as Mr. Gray's big balls?? He wrote an opinion piece about wine. Does that really take "cojones"? Are people really scared of nationally published wine magazines? Come on!<br /><br />Personally, I WinoTrippinghttp://www.winotripping.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-47850623895903742762010-09-14T12:02:11.590-07:002010-09-14T12:02:11.590-07:00Kudos, Blake. I've always believed Laube is in...Kudos, Blake. I've always believed Laube is in way over his head, not only as a taster, but also as a writer (bland, bland, bland). This is not his fault, as his St. Helena Star reporter talents were adequate for Wine Spectator when it was a start-up, but clearly inadequate once it became a large, sophisticated pub with global reach. Marvin will no doubt stick with the guy, both out of Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-40982605345718938942010-09-14T06:18:34.806-07:002010-09-14T06:18:34.806-07:00I can't help but wonder what the wine industry...I can't help but wonder what the wine industry, or for that matter, the world, would be like if we focused on supporting and encouraging one another rather than attempting to tear one another down. Crazy, huh?lynn alleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-73398468679647217822010-09-13T17:38:04.580-07:002010-09-13T17:38:04.580-07:00I'm a novice who rely's on the advice of e...I'm a novice who rely's on the advice of experts, they're the best with the most experience so I listen. This is very similar to movie reviews. Find a critic you like and read him. Does not mean you'll like all the same movies but it gives you some guidance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-46050765376485074992010-09-13T13:41:12.530-07:002010-09-13T13:41:12.530-07:00I have always enjoyed JL's writing. I appreci...I have always enjoyed JL's writing. I appreciate someone who tells it like it is from their perspective. I particularly enjoyed his dumbing-down of stemware in an article last year. Who else would have taken on Riedel by claiming that a common burgundy style bowl-type vessel is a wonderful all-around glass - and can be had for FAR less than $40+/stem! JL seems to call "baloney" Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-13694577663157253032010-09-13T11:39:03.122-07:002010-09-13T11:39:03.122-07:00I still like Laube's writing/tasting better th...I still like Laube's writing/tasting better than I did Suckling's.Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-84317995962028630982010-09-13T10:39:45.544-07:002010-09-13T10:39:45.544-07:00There may be numerous reasons for Wine Spectator t...There may be numerous reasons for Wine Spectator to consider a different route. I'm a bit sanguine about the whole discussion as this seems no different than the Low Alcohol vs. High Alcohol debate.<br /><br />At the end of the day...everyone has an agenda, whether it's selling more wine or subscriptions or simply notoriety. <br /><br />Me? I make wine that i like and guess what? I Mike Castlemanhttp://www.castlemancellars.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-64252549987553826692010-09-12T03:24:59.178-07:002010-09-12T03:24:59.178-07:00No wonder consumption of wine is going down around...No wonder consumption of wine is going down around the World and youngsters are losing interest! Most wine blogs and critics are full of pompous, frustrated and ignorant people who just focus on critizing one another. Very little positive and encouraging comments are posted.....just "yellow press". I have been drinking and collecting wine for a long time. Only a few months ago I decidedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-20931339679110252182010-09-11T19:25:45.688-07:002010-09-11T19:25:45.688-07:00Blake, how old are you? You look like you are &q...Blake, how old are you? You look like you are "of a certain age."<br />I am no apologist of Laube, in fact, I do not follow him. Are you suggesting some twenty-something take his place? Or that you take his place?The Sommelierehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05373623446507975769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-26578252043125252112010-09-10T15:57:03.567-07:002010-09-10T15:57:03.567-07:00Geez, there's a big difference between the cla...Geez, there's a big difference between the claim that Laube should be replaced because he's 58 and that he should be replaced because he prefers wine with exaggerated fruit and alcohol and little balance. I happen to be 58, and I came slowly over the course of years to have a personal preference for wines I consider more balanced. I like wine with dinner, and its ability to enhance the Nathannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-68610115259619226862010-09-09T20:08:12.045-07:002010-09-09T20:08:12.045-07:00+1 Casey.
Whether it happens now or in a few year...+1 Casey. <br />Whether it happens now or in a few years, the reign of the alcohol spiked syrup loving critics is near its end.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-28725139089652835312010-09-09T19:13:15.336-07:002010-09-09T19:13:15.336-07:00Since I don't have a winery anymore, all I can...Since I don't have a winery anymore, all I can say is kick some ass Blake! JL loves all that oak and flabby wines and he can have it. Wines with real soul and place will win out in another 50 years.Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02337128512171035295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-79692345276150714242010-09-09T15:14:26.251-07:002010-09-09T15:14:26.251-07:00I agree with everything you wrote Blake. Due to it...I agree with everything you wrote Blake. Due to it's wide audience, the WS is a much more impactful on CA wine than any other influence, yet there is little accountability for review quality since the majority of subscribers are new to wine and not yet confident in their own tastes.<br />Laube's tastes are extreme and do not accurately reflect the broader market. CA wine made in his Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-41131599289117687362010-09-09T13:07:04.767-07:002010-09-09T13:07:04.767-07:00I like Blake Gray and I like Jim Laube and I have ...I like Blake Gray and I like Jim Laube and I have my own opinions. Jim has made an enormous contribution to Americans' appreciation of California wines, based on his journalistic and critical acumen. When I see items like Blake's, I think it's testimony to Jim contributions which led Americans to evolve their own opinions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-66133036237291367382010-09-09T12:24:09.349-07:002010-09-09T12:24:09.349-07:00Yes, the emperor has no clothes, and thank you for...Yes, the emperor has no clothes, and thank you for having the boldness and backbone to say so.Cee Beenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-63967620988232365282010-09-09T10:44:17.759-07:002010-09-09T10:44:17.759-07:00Regarding more comments about Gray having a grudge...Regarding more comments about Gray having a grudge or animus against WS. Look at this the other way: Gray wants WS to be a better mag. I do too. We want to have the best possible mag. We like a lot of what WS does. We don't want to destroy or pillage it. We want it to reach more everyday, ordinary, wine drinkers, and we think that better reviewing of Calif. wines will accomplish that.charmionnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-53931361675049212152010-09-09T10:42:25.410-07:002010-09-09T10:42:25.410-07:00I get it - you don't agree with Jim. And I...I get it - you don't agree with Jim. And I'm sure you can find a lot of people who don't. But that could be said of any critic. It's always been like that.<br /><br />What's changed now is that the internet allows everyone who disagrees to broadcast to the world their opinion. And while it may seem like all you see is disagreement - that's just because people who do Brian Loringnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-77908952265079002872010-09-09T10:31:32.952-07:002010-09-09T10:31:32.952-07:00They certainly should look at "LEAST" at...They certainly should look at "LEAST" at dividing up his rating responsibilities by varietal. Like hiring a real west coast Pinot Noir person.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-33335096344927175262010-09-09T10:26:43.703-07:002010-09-09T10:26:43.703-07:00Crowd-sourced wine opinions all gravitate to a med...Crowd-sourced wine opinions all gravitate to a mediocre center. This type of 'web 2.0' thinking overlooks the fact that people don't agree. Helpfulness in tastemaking does not emerge from averages. Especially about wine. Or about movies. Or about books. Or music. <br /><br />There is still room for critics and critics are best when they faithfully represent a large number of Nickhttp://twitter.com/nickperdiewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-67374520303722852982010-09-09T10:21:24.366-07:002010-09-09T10:21:24.366-07:00Hmmm...
Well, I don't read WS and don't h...Hmmm...<br /><br />Well, I don't read WS and don't have plans to subscribe in the near future. Same holds true for just about 80% of my wine geek friends, I think.<br /><br />So... let 'em do whatever they want, it's got pretty much no impact on my life.1WineDudehttp://www.1winedude.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-32561732254103976202010-09-09T10:13:08.043-07:002010-09-09T10:13:08.043-07:00Brutally honest...love it!Brutally honest...love it!Daniel P.http://www.winetalk.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210235767643862872.post-86024871449505554042010-09-09T09:59:30.562-07:002010-09-09T09:59:30.562-07:00Well said. I have always pondered the seemingly h...Well said. I have always pondered the seemingly huge point difference in wines between Laube and Harvey Steiman. As a resident of Washington state, with a finger on the pulse of the Washington wine industry, I cannot begin to tell you the accounts of Steiman drunk at tastings. No wonder the scores from him trend so high!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com