A host of Syrahs

[Bucko]

As you all probably know, I do not like to rate wines, rather just make a feeble attempt to describe them.

The wine biz folks have been after me to rate wines. I receive a LOT of samples from the trade (80-100 bottles a month), and publish the new releases as I get 100 notes on Robin Garr's Wine Lovers' Page, and in my newspaper column for the Olympian, Olympia, WA.

The trade folks want ratings. They say ratings sell. They are in business. I can see their point, but I also have an aversion to simple ratings. Thus, God rest his soul, I have resurrected my dear old friend Jerry Mead's dual scoring system. The first rating is for wine quality, the second is for wine value -- an 85 point Cab that only sells for $8 might earn 90 points for value. This seems more fair to the wine. Maybe I'm way off base, but that is how I have to do it if I am going to rate wines.

Bucko