Robert Parker 96 points wine - worth USD150?

Lets discuss.

I would say yes with a caveat.

I mean I'm not going to run out and buy a $150 bottle of wine just because RP said it's a 96 pointer, not even if I had $150 to blow on an expensive bottle of wine.

If it were right in my wheelhouse regarding tastes... and he scored it 96 points... and I was sitting with $150 LOOKING for a nice bottle of wine to celebrate say, a 25th anniversary or a birth of a child or a lottery win or something, yeah I'd say it would be worth it.

[David M. Bueker]

Points are irrelevant. Is it a truly great wine (not just annointed with points), and is there rarity/scarcity at play, then maybe it is worth it.

Do you like it enough to justify the price? That may be all that matters. I love Krug, and so will pay for it.

[Robin Garr]

Lets discuss.

I agree in principle with my interpretation of what Ryan and David said: The better question is, "Is any wine worth $150?"

Assuming you can afford it individually, I can't say no. I had two wines at a tasting over the weekend that wholesale around $150 and thus retail well north of $200 - <b>Gerard Raphet 2005 Clos de Beze</b> and <b>Alain Robert 1986 Champagne Clos le Mesnils</b> - and I'd certainly consider buying either one of them. In fact, several of us were talking about forming a foursome, buying one of each, and sharing them with other wines over a great dinner.

But the Parker element doesn't really do anything for me. Knowing that his tastes and mine consistently differ on many higher-end wines, the fact that a wine was a Parker 95 might make me <i>less</i> likely to consider it. But at the end of the day, I can only answer that question in terms of whether I think it's worth it, not on the basis of the score that any critic gave it.

For me, $150 is a bit over the top. There are so many interesting wines I haven't tried at half that price that would still qualify as a splurge (and which I would feel a little less of that 'dangnabit this wine better be good' feeling).

I wouldn't base my purchase on points either, but I think Alejandro alludes to an important factor. For many of us, making a decision to splurge on a wine at that level is particularly challenging precisely because we don't know if it will be worth it--which is to say that we have never tried the wine. Oftentimes having the opportunity to sample just a bit of wine that goes for 100 or 150 bucks a bottle is one that is hard to come by for Joe One-Case. For my first big splurge ever, I did tons of research before laying down the cash for my first Krug. Delighted to say it most certainly did not disappoint, but nonetheless I was basically dependent on a lot of second-hand information and no previous experience. Sometimes a splurge is a leap of faith.

What wine?

If its Yquem, yes.

If its Moscato d'Asti (which he often rates very highly), no.

If I had the money, I would and have bought wines beyond my budget

I wouldn't do it based on Parker (he seems to dislike many Napa wines that I like a lot). Maybe based ona trusted wine shop owner. Generally only based on tastings and experience with the producer.

I'm now bemoaning the fact that I cannot really afford the new release of one of these overpriced consumer products (Verite), which is a wine I love and which is having a release party this month. Ah well.

I'd give him $150, 96 pts could sell a lot of wine

I don't think I'd pay $150 based on 1 review. Thats a lot of money.

Which wine?

I literally abhor Bryant Family Cabernet. Parker obviously loves it as evidenced by his ratings:

1994 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 98
1995 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 99
1996 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 99
1997 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 100

What does this mean? It only means we have different likes and dislikes. I would never buy a pricey wine based on his review alone. If I could not taste it first, I would get a variety of reviews.

I agree with Bill, you have to know the wine. There are wines scored highly by Robert Parker (or any other critic you want to name) that I wouldn't pay $20 for. And there are wines that I like that haven't scored that highly that I'll go to my ceiling for. My palate is the most important part of the calculation.

I've seen attempts to create a formula relating scores to price to determine what wines to buy. A sad misuse of Mathematics in my opinion.

What wine?

If its Yquem, yes.

After all these years you're palate hasn't changed. It's nice to see such consistency.

Bah!

The new improved Jay Miller can get you 96 point wines for much less.

I literally abhor Bryant Family Cabernet. Parker obviously loves it as evidenced by his ratings:

1994 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 98
1995 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 99
1996 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 99
1997 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 100

What does this mean? It only means we have different likes and dislikes. I would never buy a pricey wine based on his review alone. If I could not taste it first, I would get a variety of reviews.

Gotta disagree with you on this one, Bucko. The '95 Bryant Family Cab, which we had at Spruce in Chicago in 1999, is the singular greatest Cali Cab I've had--and I've had plenty.

Otherwise, can't disagree with you on Parker. To wit: Robert Parker likes his steaks medium well. You've always liked yours medium rare. How do you like your steaks?

Cheers!
Charley

How do you like your steaks?

Prime, dry-aged and still mooing...

How do you like your steaks?

Prime, dry-aged and still mooing...

I'm with ya on that, and on RP, in general. But that 95 BF Cab was one wine experience!

C

The '95 Bryant Family Cab, which we had at Spruce in Chicago in 1999, is the singular greatest Cali Cab I've had--and I've had plenty.

This is what is so nice about the wine world -- the old adage of one man's trash is another man's treasure applies. The best '95 CA Cab I've had is a toss-up between Araujo and Insignia.

The '95 Bryant Family Cab, which we had at Spruce in Chicago in 1999, is the singular greatest Cali Cab I've had--and I've had plenty.

This is what is so nice about the wine world -- the old adage of one man's trash is another man's treasure applies. The best '95 CA Cab I've had is a toss-up between Araujo and Insignia.

Haven't had the Araujo, but the Insignia and Paradigm are among my favorites, though not up to the standard of the Bryant Family in this vintage IMHO.

Anyway, Red Wings just scored to beat the Sharks in OT and even their series at 2-2, it's 1:25 am EDT and I'm off to bed.

[David M. Bueker]

The '95 Bryant Family Cab, which we had at Spruce in Chicago in 1999, is the singular greatest Cali Cab I've had--and I've had plenty.

This is what is so nice about the wine world -- the old adage of one man's trash is another man's treasure applies. The best '95 CA Cab I've had is a toss-up between Araujo and Insignia.

Gotta be the Insignia!

99 Cafaro Riserva!

Baumard Quarts de Chaumes, 1995, say? That would be overpriced.
Donnhoff Auslese? Ditto.
Chevre Les Clos? Ditto.

What are you really asking? Should one blindly spend money for points? Is there some business plan around this assumption?

Bah!

The new improved Jay Miller can get you 96 point wines for much less.

Joe... Im not sure I follow. Could you perhaps elaborate?

I'd prefer to have the wine(s) I choose for $150, rather than one that someone else would choose.

Bah!

The new improved Jay Miller can get you 96 point wines for much less.

Joe... Im not sure I follow. Could you perhaps elaborate?

I'm being facetious.

Jay Miller I is a long-time internet wine geek and a great guy. Jay Miller II is a recent addition to the Parker team that faced some criticism for giving out lots of points to a number of different Spanish wines.