Parker Docco

Wayno · Post by **Wayno** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:09 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YU_PkTSTZo

Rather long Parker docco that might be of interest.

KMP · Post by **KMP** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 6:28 am

Charlie Rose has interviewed Parker about 4 times, and this interview is from 2001.

Even if you are not a fan of Parker you should make the time to look at this, just to get some idea of what he's about. There is no doubt that he has made a huge difference in the world of wine - and he's not afraid to tell you that!

There is no doubt that there is a big ego and a lot of self-confidence in the man. Including Rose commenting that "Parker's memory is extraordinary. He says he can describe the more than 200,000 wines he's ever tasted". I can't even remember the last 20 that I tasted!

Mike

Bick · Post by **Bick** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:20 am

KMP wrote:... "Parker's memory is extraordinary. He says he can describe the more than 200,000 wines he's ever tasted". I can't even remember the last 20 that I tasted!

I suspect that's a key difference between the top wine critics and most enthusiasts. Its not just about opinions on the day, its about placing your opinion within an accurate historical context of your own palate memory - something I'm aware I'm pretty poor at. I can jog my memory by looking over old notes though... which is the main point of taking them I guess.

marsalla · Post by **marsalla** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:24 am

KMP wrote:Charlie Rose has interviewed Parker about 4 times, and this interview is from 2001.

Even if you are not a fan of Parker you should make the time to look at this, just to get some idea of what he's about. There is no doubt that he has made a huge difference in the world of wine - and he's not afraid to tell you that!

There is no doubt that there is a big ego and a lot of self-confidence in the man. Including Rose commenting that "Parker's memory is extraordinary. He says he can describe the more than 200,000 wines he's ever tasted". I can't even remember the last 20 that I tasted!

Mike

Yeah, but his tasting note on most of them is 'forgettable'

Andre · Post by **Andre** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 5:19 pm

marsalla wrote:Yeah, but his tasting note on most of them is 'forgettable'

BS

Luke W · Post by **Luke W** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:46 pm

Thanks Wayno for suggesting that we watch this enlightening doco on Parker - it must be a wonderful gift to have a palate like Parker or Evans or Halliday. It makes me wonder however when you've got such a great palate how you cope with the lesser wines in your cellar. Presumably not all your wines are 100 point wines and I wonder if you spend a lot of time drinking incredibly good wine how difficult it makes your relationship with lesser wines.

I bought the last palate and a half of Classic McLaren La Testa reds made to impress bob parker and have been quite upset now after drinking the best part of 12 cartons how average some of my previously better wines have become. What is to become of my wallet after I run out?? What am I do do with 5 or 600 wines that I no longer am looking forward to drinking. Maybe some abstinence after I finish the La testa's is called for because I'm reluctant to sell any of my wines that I've collected faithfully for 30 years.

Wayno · Post by **Wayno** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:39 pm

I say that's what auctions are for. They revitalise your collection when you've tired of a certain style as invariably happens over time. I'm enjoying the whole input/output thing now, it keeps it dynamic and whilst collectability has it's place, the reality that I will never drink or want to drink a raft of wines keeps me keen to replace them with ones I will want.
But back to topic, I thought the documentary was really interesting - I didn't go through all of it, but was interested to see his thoughts on various wine matters.