Wine Ratings. Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator Don’t Agree. – Episode #149

December 18, 2006

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Wines tasted in this episode:

Wine Ratings mean so much or do they? Today Gary Vaynerchuk tries to settle the score on 4 wines from California that Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast couldn’t agree on. Scores range from 67 to 95 on this episode so sit back and grab a nice Cabernet where we land on these.

103 Responses

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  1. December 19, 2006

    Tish

    Gary, loved the WE vs. WS mano a mano comparison. As you know, I am a “recovering wine critic” (having edited WE 1988-98, before they went in-house with ratings. My issue today is this: considering that there are almost always going to be discrepancies in scores, when are you going to stop using only the “best” numbers and instead just present them all. I will always consider ratings suspect, but if you choose which numbers to show, you are essentially making your own agenda even more suspect. Someday we will evolve to the point where peple accept that ratings are nothing more than PREFERENCE (as opposed to an objective measure of quality). Until then, and as long as retailers like you stress 90+, we are encouraging pure laziness on the part of critics. If they are truly so good, their prose should stand alone, without numbers. Ironically, your verbal prose is better than whoever the mags put out there anyway. But you undercut your own authority by relying on their hopeless ratings systems.

  2. December 19, 2006

    ChadD

    Hey Gary,
    Another cool episode. It doesn’t surprise me that WS and WE rate the same wines very differently-just compare their top 100 each year. I do find that I often agree with WE as you did (except for one) today. It seems like the person you disagree with the most is Robert Parker-at least in the 20 or so episodes that I have watched.
    QOTD-still waiting for that video camera (maybe this christmas ?)

  3. December 19, 2006

    Rebecca

    Great episode about the differences in the ratings. In the restaurant industry we experience the same concept of discrepencies in ratings. Each publication/reviewer can have broad differences in their review of the same restaurant. At the end of the day, once again, everyone has a different palate and we have to trust our own palates. All I can say is Thank God were are not all alike!!!

    QOD: Like others, need a video camara to tape it…let’s see what Santa brings me. I’d like the camara so that I can send in an intro BUT I’d like a JETS win against the Dirty Fish even more! I’ve always been a GIANTS fan. With their horrible performances and “A Little Bit of You” I’m converting, I think. Don’t tell anyone.

    My question to you: What wine stands out to you immediately as tasting like “Dirty, Dirty Fish”?

  4. December 19, 2006

    KenP

    Ryan M, Kahuna,
    Oregon barrels (we use a very small number of them where I work) impart interesting cedar notes, but you have to really pay attention. A little goes a long way.

  5. December 19, 2006

    Shotgun

    Good fun and good intro. Gary how about doing a couple of vertical tastings, say 5-6 each of a California cab and a chardonnay? I’d like to see you taste Caymus Cabernet Napa Valley (not the Special Selection) and Grgich Hills chardonnay. Those are two really really really consistent producers, so the tastings might be instructive about vintage differences and bottle age differences. If you don’t do this, I will. In fact if you do, I still will…

  6. December 19, 2006

    KAHUNA

    Ryan M,
    Being a hame winemake with both American and French Oak Barrells I find the French Oak to be much more Subtle and more on the Vanilla side than the the American Oak- With American Oak Grain size plays a much bigger role

    I prefere the American Oak overall only because I only want my wine to sit in Barrell for 10-12 months and it gives it a little more oomf out of the gate- i use small french oak for samm batches like 12 gallon size and the French Oak comes out quicker-

    Can I tell the difference- sometimes yes but not always- As toasting of the barrels can often lead to taste differential- If you have a wine aged 18mos in New American Oak it would be tought to drink-

  7. December 19, 2006

    cgf

    Gary,
    Great concept for a show. This really hammers home the point that you have to trust your own taste.

    QOD: soon.

  8. December 19, 2006

    Rick E

    I posted this very topic on the WLTV forum when I saw the ‘03 Simi Landslide rated a 90 by WE and 70 by WS. Julius found the widest range, however, (echoed by Joe above) with the ‘01 Chateau Montelena which Parker has at 95 and WS rated 69.

    Maybe Laube should stop chewing tobacco during his tastings.

  9. December 19, 2006

    JimVarney01

    Great show, I loved the part where he said there were hints of white pepper, then he rubbed his eye. If it was intentional, a subtle throwback to the pallete training ep, nice delivery. If it wasn’t intentional, the unconscious mind is a powerful thing :) . QOTD! Gotta stop working 2 jobs just to fund my wine cellar, then I might have time to sit down and record something. YOU’RE KILLIN ME GARY!!

    Why can’t I ship a tshirt to Michigan? I’ll have to call in sometime soon, is there a phone number for orders?

  10. December 19, 2006

    Deano

    Nice show today Gary. I need to get workin on my OAK monster haha. Also as soon as i get back home from the holidays i will get my intro tape going for ya. Then it will be you with a liiiiiiitle bit of me we are changing the wine world muahaha :)

  11. December 19, 2006

    SeanM

    I think I already sent you a video, from my international travels even. ;-)

    Pats fan? You? HAH!

    Now if I can just get the T-shirt ordered life will be good.

  12. December 19, 2006

    SS Chris

    Gary, What’s a “black” raspberry?

    QOTD: come on man….you already have me working!

    :-D :-D :-D :-D

  13. December 19, 2006

    wey

    I will send you an intro in 2007… but first I have to work on my pronunciation :)

  14. December 19, 2006

    AJ Vaynerchuk

    “One can always tell when AJ is on Winter Break!”

    Brandon M-

    I Wish! Actually Winter Break Starts for me in 4 hours. Then I will be done with my last final exam!!!

  15. December 19, 2006

    km

    by the way I love the Ehlers wine as well :)

  16. December 19, 2006

    km

    you are drinking out of burgundy glass (tulip)
    any reason?

  17. December 19, 2006

    Ryan M.

    Nice episode Gary. On a different topic, can anyone here actually taste the difference between American and French oak? If so, which style of oak do you prefer? I know that American oak tends to get a bar rap for being too harsh. But lately I think American oak has been getting more subtle like their French counterparts. Anyone agree?

  18. December 19, 2006

    David

    How about a show featuring Heidi Barrett wines. Help me/us shed some light on what the all the hype is about. Keep up the good work Gary!!!!!!!!

  19. December 19, 2006

    DomTheSomm

    Gary, interesting Cab line-up, and it was fun to see the variences with ratings. I preach this in our TR and I especially debate this point with the “posh”. It just goes to show that everybody’s pallet is unique and different, and to say I think this wine is 95 pts is based on my trained pallet and not your trained pallet which is completely different. Let’s not forget this folks….wine is a alcoholic-beverage made from freshly gathered grapes. Keep It Simple!! Long Live Free-Thinkers!!

    QOD- Almost finished. Doing some editing on my mac, should turn out well!! Hope to see open one of your shows!!!

    DomTheSomm

  20. December 19, 2006

    ML

    One of your best episodes yet Gary!

    Also, nice job featuring Ehlers Estate…I believe the only non-profit winery in California (or maybe even the US). They are a great organization! If I remember correctly, they have a sensory section in their tasting room where they provide various foods, spices, etc so you can experience their smells and aromas while tasting their wines.

    Finally…how about swallowing a live goldfish on Friday’s show to symbolize the Jets swallowing of the Dolphins this coming weekend? Please pair this with an appropriate wine.

  21. December 19, 2006

    Brandon M

    One can always tell when AJ is on Winter Break!

  22. December 19, 2006

    Joel Bombardier

    Gary,

    I have thought of a really great intro video for you, I am not going to tell you the theme/plot but I KNOW that you will really be enjoying it. Additionally, you have a great video today, I very much enjoy it, especially as a more new-world drinker that is expanding into more old world directions. I will be looking for the Robert Young Scion Red, I am really excited about it. Again, I have some great ideas that will be coming your way as soon as I can get things together over here in Seattle!

    Best wishes,
    Joel

  23. December 19, 2006

    ChrisR

    Great ep and nice intro!

    I’m working on my intro and I hope to have it done around the time you do your heat episode. :)

  24. December 18, 2006

    nikonjedi

    A PATS FAN FOR THE WEEK!!!? welcome to the winning side gary! now if i could just get you to give up the Jets for good and stay a Pats fan.;)
    another great episode. you have moose and rattlesnakes down in jersey? big shout out to dave for the intro, great job.

  25. December 18, 2006

    Nathan Lambright

    I just discovered your blog today and wasted 4 hours watching video. I’ve always wished I could get a daily lesson so thank you. This episode in particular was great. I’ve always been curious when I see obscene differences in ratings. You’ve gained a new vayniac and customer (I live in New Brunswick).

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