Dunne: Parker Into Vintner's Hall of Fame..

Just noticed this today in MikeDunne's blog:

Parker Into Vintners HoF

Surprised I'd not seen that yet. I predict all the other bloggers will weigh in w/ their thoughts in the next few days.
Tom

On the face of it, a surprisingly delayed nomination. Whatever we think of him, he's been a significant influence on the whole wine industry for decades and undoubtedly that would include California.

It was either going to be the "Hall of Fame" or the "Hall of Shame", depending on how you look at it. He is not my favorite, and like Walmart, he has contributed to the dumbing-down, and over-extraction of a lot of wines, in the name of "Parker Points". Clearly though he was a big factor, and the Bordelais owe him a big vote of gratitude. He alone was probably responsible for their resurgence, don't your think?

I do not have to agree with his likes and dislikes but he has had an amazing influence on getting people to drink wine. On many websites including French, he is quoted. I learned that if you understand his notes, he also tells you to stay away because his notes are fairly consistant. It surprises me with the effect he has had on the wine consumer, he was not there many years ago.

"It surprises me with the effect he has had on the wine consumer, he was not there many years ago".

Could be true for us "know-alls" but the average wine buyer who pops in for a Malbec has never heard of him!