The Robert Parker of Coins

eaglesea · April 26, 2011 5:09PM

Bloomberg recently published an article about the impending retirement of Robert Parker - the famous wine critic, whose wine ratings have a huge influence on the success of a particular wine/vintage. The concern was, what happens when Robert Parker decides to retire?

Is John Albanese of CAC the Robert Parker of wines? What happens when he decides to call it a day?

eaglesea · April 26, 2011 5:12PM

<< Bloomberg recently published an article about the impending retirement of Robert Parker - the famous wine critic, whose wine ratings have a huge influence on the success of a particular wine/vintage. The concern was, what happens when Robert Parker decides to retire?

Is John Albanese of CAC the Robert Parker of wines? What happens when he decides to call it a day? >>

Or maybe David Halll is the Robert Parker of Coins?

Dentuck · April 26, 2011 9:16PM

Please expand on your metaphor.

RedTiger · April 27, 2011 2:56AM

<< Please expand on your metaphor. >>

Imagine if instead of a panel of experts, coin grading companies relied on one single person. Imagine that everyone in the industry knows this, and for the most part, respects that single expert. The scenario outlined, is that "the guy" in the wine industry is retiring. Fortunately, in the coin hobby, there are any number of expert graders, who are for the most part, all highly respected. My guess is that for the wine industry, they may go to panels and do an average rating, because it sounds like the shoes are too big to fill.

Dentuck · April 27, 2011 3:04AM

I think the metaphor falls apart a bit. Read the acknowledgments of Parker's seventh edition (Wine buyer's Guide). He thanks about a hundred people. Nothing unusual there; he's had a long career. But then read the introduction. He cites David Schildknecht as being responsible for the sections on Alsace, Austria, Burgundy, Central Europe, Champagne, East of the West Coast, French Southwest, Germany, the Jura and the Savoie, the Languedoc and Rouissillon, and the Loire Valley. Dr. Jay Miller was responsible for Argentina, Australia, Chile, Oregon, Spain, Washington State, and the section on Port. Antonio Galloni wrote all the chapters on Italy. Mark Squires covered Israel and Portugal. Neal Martin was responsible for the chapters on New Zealand and South Africa.

Dentuck · April 27, 2011 3:07AM

I'm not belittling Parker's work --- all of the writers cited above worked for him full-time, and if not for his guidance and vision and energy, his 1,500-plus-page Buyer's Guide wouldn't exist. But to be overly concerned about his retirement seems premature.

Sonorandesertrat · April 27, 2011 3:22AM

Perhaps he is the other Robert Parker (Robert Leroy Parker), aka Butch Cassidy.
Advise JA to keep clear of trains and Bolivia.

Zoins · April 27, 2011 3:29AM

Robert Parker's website lists himself and a number of other experts on the homepage.

Coins are different than reviewed items such as wine, food, movies, books, etc. in that many of these items are rated by known, publicized individuals.

Coins grading is probably more similar to auto ratings by J.D. Power. With coins, the top TPGs use a panel of mostly anonymous experts (you have to do a little leg work to find out who they are), with the exception of CAC and the former PCI's JT Stanton graded coins. Changes in the TPG graders often go unnoticed by people using their services.

If JA retired, the influence would probably be more similar to Robert Parker retiring for the wines he personally rates.

richbeat · April 27, 2011 2:09PM

Why, he'll be doing a lot of barefootin', of course. Ain't got no shoes on!!!!!!

Justacommeman · April 27, 2011 2:50PM

While Parker's pallete mirrors my own (heavily tilted towards big burly reds) I actually think the collective of The Wine Spectator is more influential then RP's publication. Mj

melvin289 · April 27, 2011 4:06PM

<< While Parker's pallete mirrors my own (heavily tilted towards big burly reds) I actually think the collective of The Wine Spectator is more influential then RP's publication. Mj >>

MJ I thought you only drank beer. Stay thirsty my friend.

Ron

Justacommeman · April 28, 2011 5:54AM

<< 

<< While Parker's pallete mirrors my own (heavily tilted towards big burly reds) I actually think the collective of The Wine Spectator is more influential then RP's publication. Mj >>

MJ I thought you only drank beer. Stay thirsty my friend.

Ron

>>

I don't always drink beer, but when I do it is Dos Equis

MJ

The Robert Parker of Coins

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