So I have been attacking the whole wine critic thing for 15 plus years. When I started I relied on Parker and Wine Spectator for making great purchases but with the massive amount of independent reviewers not on the payroll and Cellar Tracker there really is no need to subscribe to them anymore. Here is the reason they are flawed:
- Free Samples. Don’t stop the steady flow of free wines with bad reviews.
- Pop and pour. When was the last time any wine reviewer showed evidence in a review this wine had been decanted?
- 90 is the norm. All wines are apparently 90 points including the junk on the shelves at Total Wine For $14.99 with a 91.
- Palate Fatigue. While I can sample 100 wines at a time at a big event those reviews are not even close to the wines I sample over 3 or 4 days.
Here is a perfect example of an accurate review of a wine that I would have given about 83 points on day one in a blind tasting.
- 2022 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Old Vines – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (6/6/2025)
Day 2: Natural cork. New oak so needed some time for a proper review. Natural cork. Dill, dark currants, spice, floral, chocolate and minerals. This wine needs some serious time and would guess in 5 to 10 around 93/94 but too young to properly review now. Will do a 4 dayer on this one.
Day 3: Still tight but shows more promise. Dill, oak, dark fruits, dark chocolate, minerals, spice and floral notes. A big wine meant for 20 years or more of aging. 92 points
Day 4: Well needed that to open up. Still showing oak and dill but not enough to dominate the wine which also features dark chocolate, floral, spice, cherry, plum, minerals and leather. Medium plus finish and very nice improvement. 94 points
Recommendation: Put in the back of the cellar and sleep on these for 10 plus years. (94 points)