Parker feud, hope this is OK ?

I, too, am actually a much nicer person than my internet persona. I swear.

I'm actually much nicer on the internet than I am in person.

Parker tried to deflect the conversation to other publications. In one comment, he tried to place WA as on a higher plane, saying "also all of my writers write for other publications,which I believe have no rules of engagement.." Yet as far as I know, only Schildknecht writes a fair amount for other publications. I think maybe Martin and Galloni might have done an article or two, but the only substantive thing I've seen were their respective newsletters that were absorbed into WA. I've never seen or heard of another publication hiring Miller or Squires for an article.

I think Parker was thinking of himself when speaking about writing for other publications. He used to have a column in Business Week about wines. I haven't seen it in a while, so it could have been discontinued.

[James Roscoe]

Hmmmm. What wine goes with popcorn?

Alex R.

NV Champagne, seriously

I think Parker was thinking of himself when speaking about writing for other publications. He used to have a column in Business Week about wines. I haven't seen it in a while, so it could have been discontinued.

No, that was an exact quote, he said the other writers were independent contractors and all wrote for other publications. Me, I've never seen an article by any of them other than David S. I liked the one issue I read of the Piedmont Report, and used to enjoy NM's Wine Journal, but those were absorbed and scarcely counted as "publications" in my view even before assimilation.

I would definitely buy wines on David S's recommendation, and probably Piedmont on Galloni's (he seems to be sketchier for my tastes in other Italian regions). I like Neal's writing, but find his notes a bit inconsistent. But I find Miller's notes unhelpful, and Parker's less useful for me than in past (which of us changed more?). So no WA for me - David doesn't write enough (or at least get enough space, and what there is often isn't timely).

In now way a criticism but genuinely curious: When it comes to publishing, what in the world is an "independent contractor". I know of salaried writers and critics and I know of free-lancers, but "independent contractors"........ Is there some peculiarly American legal distinction that sets the independent contractor apart from the free-lancer?

Thanks for any input....

In now way a criticism but genuinely curious: When it comes to publishing, what in the world is an "independent contractor". I know of salaried writers and critics and I know of free-lancers, but "independent contractors"........ Is there some peculiarly American legal distinction that sets the independent contractor apart from the free-lancer?

Thanks for any input....

Parker's legal training is showing, Daniel. WA has to determine under Federal tax law whether the writers are "independent contractors" or an "employee". The IRS has a good description of the differences at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/art ... 21,00.html In simple terms, if the writer is an "employee", WA has to withhold taxes and remit them to the IRS; if the writer is an "independent contractor", WA has only to report payments to the writer on a Form 1099. [The story is more complicated than that for some "independent contractors."]

I'm not entirely sure what a "free lancer" is in the real world, but would assume that all "free lancers" are "independent contractors", especially if they write for other publications as Parker notes these writers do.

I could care less how nice Mark Squires is in-person. I'm only concerned about how he moderates the eBob forum (which, no offense to any other forum owners, is arguably the most active and influential on the internet). When it comes to that topic, he's a temperamental, capricious, obnoxious petty despot.

I could care less how nice Mark Squires is in-person. I'm only concerned about how he moderates the eBob forum (which, no offense to any other forum owners, is arguably the most active and influential on the internet). When it comes to that topic, he's a temperamental, capricious, obnoxious petty despot.

That's what struck me the most when reading the original Mr. Vino post. Though the emphasis soon switched to more substantial matters, that still stands out in my memory of the whole affair.

Jacques, good to see you back!

I should also add that some people have appalling Internet personas. Squires is actually a much nicer person than he comes across on his board.

When Mark was here in SantaFe visiting friends some yrs ago, I really liked him a lot. Very sharp, very bright, and a genuine human person. But when he sits down at his keyboard and puts on his (non-tin foil) eBob hat, there seems to be an autocratic personna that takes over. Speaking as someone whose posts have been deleted because that implied a certain degree of fallibility to MrParker. I think MrParker can be a bit thin-skinned at times, but I also think Mark can be a bit heavy-handed in trying to protect him as well.
Tom

I should also add that some people have appalling Internet personas. Squires is actually a much nicer person than he comes across on his board.

When Mark was here in SantaFe visiting friends some yrs ago, I really liked him a lot. Very sharp, very bright, and a genuine human person. But when he sits down at his keyboard and puts on his (non-tin foil) eBob hat, there seems to be an autocratic personna that takes over. Speaking as someone whose posts have been deleted because that implied a certain degree of fallibility to MrParker. I think MrParker can be a bit thin-skinned at times, but I also think Mark can be a bit heavy-handed in trying to protect him as well.
Tom

I agree totally on Mark Squires "the wine board nazi" as he is designated in many circles. He also deleted something I wrote and threatened to banish me from the board. I will not go into detail because frankly it was so trivial I don't have a clear recollection of the exact post.
Life is too short to bother with small people like Squires. I have no experience with him in person.

I'm not entirely sure what a "free lancer" is in the real world, but would assume that all "free lancers" are "independent contractors", especially if they write for other publications

Correct, Bob.

I, too, am actually a much nicer person than my internet persona. I swear.

Not me! I'm a "sanctimonious bore" or so I've been told.

Yeah, but that was said on the Internet so your real-life persona is safe, David. And, given the source of that quote, no better endorsement of your character could be had. And Dale is a great person wherever: Internet, real life, even NYC where nice people rarely last 5 min. (NB, Dale: the email asking you for a favor in on the way)

Mark Lipton

I, too, am actually a much nicer person than my internet persona. I swear.

Not me! I'm a "sanctimonious bore" or so I've been told.

Yeah, but that was said on the Internet so your real-life persona is safe, David. And, given the source of that quote, no better endorsement of your character could be had. And Dale is a great person wherever: Internet, real life, even NYC where nice people rarely last 5 min. (NB, Dale: the email asking you for a favor in on the way)

Mark Lipton

I take it you don't like Dressner, Mark?

Another interesting blog entry from Dr Vino. What I enjoy about this one is that it is from 2007. I found it on a google search. The comments, including Jay Miller's chiming in are quite interesting.

http://www.drvino.com/2007/05/21/decant ... rt-parker/

Sorry, I'm not at all scandalized by what you fished off the net.

What law says tastings have to be blind to be valid?
(unless this is part of the W.A. credo - I don't read the thing so wouldn't know).

Like everyone else I'm sure, I question the tasting order, but is that really any more than a tempest in a teapot?

Furthermore, any seasoned taster knows how to sift through the B.S. of a P.R. person and concentrate on what's essential.

The best way to break free of the Parker full-nelson is not to try to besmirch him and his colleagues on Internet forums. It is to be proactive, to post your own notes, to champion up-and-coming critics, to be involved rather than on the sidelines complaining.

How much hot air I have seen over the years about Parker's power, Parker's scoring system, Parker this, Parker that!!!
This has precious little to do with the world of wine.

The best critic is YOU. Don't get hung up about the others is my advice to you.

All the best,
Alex R.

Another interesting blog entry from Dr Vino. What I enjoy about this one is that it is from 2007. I found it on a google search. The comments, including Jay Miller's chiming in are quite interesting.

http://www.drvino.com/2007/05/21/decant ... rt-parker/

One can't help but notice the "goofy pictures" url cited in the article no longer exists.

[David M. Bueker]

Considering the speed at which some web sites get updated, it is no shock that Dr. Jay's images might have lingered on the Bin 604 website past his departure date.

Alex
On all Robert Parker publishings he says, "Wines are tasted blind, whenever possible."

Daniel,
glad to see you held back your opinions on your email this AM

Dale

I am playing to a small public with my emails, nevertheless, I want our customers to see the whole truth. It would appear that our customers are appreciative of it, as whenever I post something like this, I get showered with compliments about being upfront and honest. It is a shame that a few people have found my motives self serving. Not many retailers would tell you to be wary of purchasing a 98 point wine.

I actually thought the story of Telmo R. going unreviewed by WA once he switched importers the most disturbing thing I've read in the whole business. Were his wines reviewed by WS, IWC, or Elmundovino? Assuming there was no vast quality drop off, and as you note they sent samples, that is a not very pretty story.

Would you guys mind sharing the story with us non-recipients of the matinal email?

I actually thought the story of Telmo R. going unreviewed once he switched importers the most disturbing thing I've read in the whole business. Were his wines reviewed by WS, IWC, or Elmundovino? Assuming there was no vast quality drop off, and as you note they sent samples, that is a not very pretty story.

I doubt a quality drop off - from what I've tasted, he's both skilled as a winemaker, but also skilled in fashioning (good) commercial wines.

Would you guys mind sharing the story with us non-recipients of the matinal email?

I don't like to post emails, even commercial blasts, unless sender approves (Daniel?). Short version: Telmo Rodriguez was imported by Ordonez, and got good WA scores. In 2006 he switched importers, since then even though samples are sent no reviews. Daniel noted there might be reviews in next WA, but three years is a long time. And Daniel did also offer the Aalto, a couple of vintages with 98 scores, while expressing doubt about the way the scores were arrived at. I'll forward you the email (publishing bad, forwarding fine)

[David M. Bueker]

From what I have seen there are a few Tanzer reviews of 2006/2007 (not comprehensive), but not much else.