Reverse Robert Parker Points (RRPP)

Should Reverse Robert Parker Points (RRPP) be a sensible strategy for wine buyers?

When a producer quotes exalted Parker Points I taste for educational purposes but put the wine down as an avoid as bound to be overpriced.

That sounds like the Contrarian Method of trading in the stock market: When sprits are high, sell, when spirits are low, buy. (That is an over-generalization, of course.) But there's no reason it can't be applied to vino, I guess.

[Robin Garr]

Should Reverse Robert Parker Points (RRPP) be a sensible strategy for wine buyers?

When a producer quotes exalted Parker Points I taste for educational purposes but put the wine down as an avoid as bound to be overpriced.

I see a couple of similar but different issues here, Warren.

1. Assuming that Parker rates consistently (which needs to be footnoted now that he has divided the territory), then it's certainly reasonable to follow his recommendations if you share his affection for a certain style of wine, and to use Reverse Points as your guide if you find that you consistently dislike that style.

2. The cost issue, as you note, is significant but may be different. If a high RMP score elevates the wine's price, then you're in good luck if you're betting against him but in bad luck if you love the wines he loves.

It should be noted that a Reverse Wine Spectator system would be less reliable in any case, since they're much less consistent than RMP & Co.

Should Reverse Robert Parker Points (RRPP) be a sensible strategy for wine buyers?

When a producer quotes exalted Parker Points I taste for educational purposes but put the wine down as an avoid as bound to be overpriced.

That’s a tough call, since Mr. Parker considers quality, in terms of balance, structure, etc., as well as style in making his ratings. If he rated a wine 65, you probably wouldn’t like it. On the other hand, his range between 75 and 85 include many Bordeaux that I have considered gems.

Warren, are you in the wine business whereby you get to taste 98 – 100 point Parker wines without paying anything?

Covert

Should Reverse Robert Parker Points (RRPP) be a sensible strategy for wine buyers?

When a producer quotes exalted Parker Points I taste for educational purposes but put the wine down as an avoid as bound to be overpriced.

I just posted a note about 1999 Potensac, then looked up what Parker said about it. He gave it 86 points and opined: "The 1999 Potensac is an elegant, angular, austere effort, which offers aromas of earth, underbrush, and black currants. This medium-bodied, tannic Medoc is best drunk over the next 6-8 years."

When Parker talks about earth, underbrush, angularity and aurterity, he usually follows such description with points of faint praise, and it usually means I will like the wine a lot, which was the case with 1999 Potensac.