ROBERT M PARKER JR

The most influential wine critic of all time? He can’t be described as anything less than a towering presence over the last four decades. Prolific, informed, at times divisive, always unflinchingly honest, Parker’s writings have made fortunes and redefined wine styles in some of the most famous regions – and become the go-to reference for wine collectors, investors and trade alike. Having set down his wine critic’s pen for good, the time is right for Robert Parker to enter the Decanter Hall of Fame. Andrew Jefford explains why

- Andrew Jefford

Robert M Parker Jr is the 37th entrant to the Decanter Hall of Fame (previously Decanter Man of the Year) – or, more accurately, the 39th, since in 1985 and 2014 the award was shared by two recipients. He may well be the most controversial.

Decanter itself never formally adopted a position of antagonism towards Parker or his work, but Decanter contributors and readers often have, notably in the magazine’s Letters forum. Hostility to the man from Maryland focused on his use of points scores, the trenchancy of his verdicts, the undiplomatic asperity of his responses to criticism, his peremptory dismissal of the wine-tasting skills and scholarship of others, the effect of his scores on the price of fine wines, and what were perceived to be his stylistic penchants.

Now that Robert Parker has hung up his tasting glass for good and The Wine Advocate sits in the Michelin portfolio, readers may be wondering why Decanter has chosen this moment to recognise his achievements.

Well, here’s why...

Whole new level

Robert Parker is the only rock star the wine world has ever produced. By that metaphor, I mean a figure whose reach and influence is global, and whose name had a resonance beyond the confines of wine traders, enthusiasts, geeks and nerds. He not only expanded that circle of enthusiasm colossally, but he altered and lifted the aesthetic parameters of what was possible in every wine-producing region around the world. He did this directly in some cases, notably in Bordeaux, in California and in the Rhône Valley, but indirectly in other cases – simply by generating excitement and thrills about great wine itself.

ROBERT M PARKER JR AT A GLANCE

Born 23 July 1947 in Baltimore, Maryland