Wine lovers and writers often debate the validity and usefulness of wine scores. I think they have their place, when taken as a part of a complete review that includes tasting notes and background information.
But then I finally thumbed through the February issue of Wine Spectator and came upon some disturbing scores.
It's not often that I see many New York wines listed, even in the back. But this was their "ratings roundup" so there were quite a few. Some scary numbers:
Yellow Tail 2003 Reserve Shiraz: 88
Bedell Cellars 2001 Reserve Merlot: 87
Wolffer Estate Vineyards 2001 Estate Selection Merlot: 86
Shinn Estate Vineyards 2002 Young Vines Merlot: 84
Lieb Family Cellars 2001 Merlot Reserve: 78
Now I'm the first to remind people that a wine score/rating is no more than one person's opinion. But for all four of these wines to be rated lower than anything made by Yellow Tail is simply mind-boggling. Of course it also clearly illustrates the current love affair publications like WS have with jammy, "fruit bomb" wines.
Come to Long Island and taste some refined, nuanced...balanced wines. Just say no to Yellow Tail.
Obviously the L.I. wineries haven't advertised in wine spectator enough, lol.
Posted by: Bryan | February 14, 2006 at 01:17 PM
You have to wonder what motives RP & WS have....But I am naturally paranoid.
Posted by: Collin C. | February 14, 2006 at 01:56 PM
De gustibus dispundandum est.
Nice reminder of the fallibility of "expert opinions" and the like. Good catch, Lenn.
Posted by: Terry Hughes | February 14, 2006 at 05:30 PM
DISPUTANDUM
God, I am one crappy typist!
Posted by: Terry Hughes | February 14, 2006 at 05:30 PM
Wow, I'm shocked. Yellowtail is decent, but it 's only my staple when I can't afford anything else. I would never pick to grab it first above any of those other wines. That is scary...
What are your favorite wines from Long Island? I've only tried one or two when I was out there last summer in Sag Harbor, can't remember the name of the vineyard....
Posted by: Mona | February 14, 2006 at 11:19 PM
The key words are "personal opinion" they are only experts in what they like. Here, Australia, my heads bleeding from banging it with over large reads. I'm a big, unsubtle guy but I want something that will enhance my food not my prestige in "prestigous" circles.
Posted by: Ed Charles | February 15, 2006 at 05:39 AM
hey- I think I'm offended by that Yellow tail slander!!! :)
Posted by: MIL | February 15, 2006 at 09:18 AM
Thanks for reminding all of us that taste is a very subjective thing.
I can't help but notice however that the Yellow Tail listed is their also labeled 'reserve'. Is it because it's their 'better' stuff?
That being said, you got to credit large corporations like the one that produces the Yellow Tail for being able to put decent wines on the market at a reasonable price. This is something fairly new in the wine world and something quite contestable for a variety of reasons but its not entirely a wrong thing.
As other commenters, the fact that Yellow Tail is one of the few large advertising clients of wine (and food, and lifestyle and whatever...) magazine makes me a bit suspicious of the rating they get.
Posted by: Magictofu | February 15, 2006 at 10:59 AM
Has anyone in this forum tasted the Yellowtail wine in question? I haven't.
Posted by: Larry Perrine | February 16, 2006 at 09:40 AM
Good morning...didn't know you were a LENNDEVOURS reader :)
I've tasted it...and to my palate, it's only slightly more interesting than their regular shiraz (which my mother in law serves at every party she throws). You're probably wondering if people are just bashing yellowtail blindly...but I'm not sure if that's true or not.
Have you guys had any wines reviewed by WS? I've not seen them in there...
Posted by: Lenn | February 16, 2006 at 09:51 AM