For The Love Of Port

WOW! News has it that JS has "retired" from the magazine. However, the statement released on their website is a bit vague. I'm sure in due time details will come out, but what a total surprise.

To add some fuel to mystery of the sudden announcement, Suckling's Facebook page had this post

The reports of my retirement have been greatly exaggerated. Stay tuned for exciting things to come

Kim Marcus will take over the Port reviews (he already does Portuguese wines).

That is certainly newsworthy. James has a fine Port palate so it is a shame to see a report that he'll no longer be doing Port. Of course, it would be nice to see some verification that all this is true. Like you said, in time we'll soon know the rest of the story.

He's never going to pen a review on Port ever again for WS? Ya right.

For an employee of almost 30 years at WS, the announcement of his departure on WS appeared rather hastily written and not your typical happy send off of a long term employee. Here is their complete announcement....

James Suckling, who joined Wine Spectator in 1981 and has served as European bureau chief since 1988, has retired from the company.

Suckling’s tasting responsibilities have been reassigned. The wines will be reviewed in our standard blind-tastings in the company’s New York office.

Senior editor and tasting director Bruce Sanderson will oversee coverage of Italy. Sanderson, who has been with the magazine for 18 years, currently reviews the wines of Burgundy, Champagne and Germany. His most recent cover story was an in-depth analysis of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.

Senior editor James Molesworth, who is responsible for France’s Rhône Valley and Loire Valley, will add Bordeaux to his portfolio. Molesworth has been with Wine Spectator for 14 years. He also reviews the wines of Argentina, Chile and South Africa.

Managing editor Kim Marcus reviews the table wines of Portugal; he will now take responsibility for Port as well. Marcus, who joined Wine Spectator 23 years ago, also tastes the wines of Austria and southern France.

"James Suckling has been a significant contributor to the success of Wine Spectator,” said editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken. “He will be missed. We are very fortunate to have significant depth in our editorial team. In fact, moving these tastings to New York, where we have a larger staff and better logistical control, will allow us to strengthen our coverage of these important wine regions."

Acrimony?

WOW!! Yeah, that notice does seems to be a last minute write-up....

From Cigar Aficionado:


James Suckling, the European Editor of Cigar Aficionado, Retires

Cigar Aficionado's coverage of Cuba will be reassigned.

Posted: Wednesday, July 14, 2010


James Suckling, who has been the European Editor of Cigar Aficionado magazine since it was launched in 1992, has retired from the company.

His primary coverage responsibility was Cuba. His assignments will be shared by the magazine's senior staff including Executive Editor Gordon Mott and Senior Editor David Savona.

"James Suckling was a key contributor to the success of Cigar Aficionado," said editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken. "He will be missed, but we are fortunate to have a capable and knowledgeable staff regarding all aspects of the world of Cuban cigars."

Let's not jump to conclusions or conspiracy theories. In time, usually a week or so ... we'll learn the whole truth.

James was the most influential voice re: Port wine ... from a journalistic and critical standpoint. No other person could move the market the way JS did when it came to Ports. I have only tasted Ports with him a couple of times and must say, he has a brilliant palate and whether you agree with him or not, one read through his 1990 "Bible" on Vintage Port and you realize that his great knowledge and experience are at the apex of those alive today who are serious critical journos reviewing Port. I have similar admiration for Broadbent and Mayson too when it comes to Port, but of all critics reviewing it, I most often concur with Suckling, although I find his drinking windows always defer to the short side of the window. Otherwise, I really like his style and viewpoints. I only wish that at some point he had been able to write a follow up to his book, showing the changes that have taken place in the past two decades since the last one was written. So many changes have taken place:
* Viticulture w/ block plantings and also the grubbing up of old field blends, replaced by less grape varieties in the vineyards
* Viniculture w/ so many new faces making Port wine (not to mention DOC wines from the Douro), with temp controls and robotics employed and so many other nuances that were not around for the last edition.
* Consolidation & new ventures - there's been a plethora of companies folded into the "Big 5" since James penned his book.
* Changing of the guard - nearly every company has seen the MD/CEO position taken over by the "next generation" and winemakers too. It would be great to get Suckling's take on how much this has morphed the Port trade.

I will send James an email and maybe now that he no longer works for the WS, he won't be limited as to which other websites he can visit and comment on.

He made reference in a Facebook post that he would still be reviewing Cigars, I guess that has now changed as well. I do wish him the best in whatever he decides to pursue in the future. It's just a shame that they didn't give him a better send off. I still use his book on Port as reference.

Let's get him over here!

Eric Ifune wrote:Let's get him over here!

I like your thinking

Absolutely!!!!!

When the dust settles and if it appears appropriate, I would be happy to reapproach James to see if he'd be willing to do a Guest Corner visit in the Fall. He's always known he was free to post here, but was unable by contract, regardless of whether or not he would have done so.

Agree with Andy and have felt the same but wanted the announcement to sink in. Nonetheless, what a weak way to send off your loyal European Chief and nearly 30 year man, who wrote a book for you and brought legitimacy to your staff and several regions (whether you agree with his specific opinions or not). I guess I'd have expected a little bit more sincerity and class shown by Marvin Shanken for a key builder of the WS reputation upon his departure.

http://blogs.forbes.com/booze/2010/07/1 ... r-certain/


http://www.decanter.com/news/300137.htm ... um=twitter


Interesting to say the least!

I have to say that I am not a big fan of the system that makes a single critic or reviewer into a market-shaker.

No-one's taste exactly matches mine, so I can't buy into their ratings blindly.

When they do happen to agree with me, their high rating drives up prices.

When they don't agree with me, winemakers will change their style to suit the big-name critic, thus making wine less like what I prefer.

Too much power in any single person is never a good thing. (Unless, of course, I was King For A Day. )

That said, there is something definitely fishy about this sudden distancing between WS and Suckling. I wonder if the true reason will ever be revealed.

Peter W. Meek wrote:
When they don't agree with me, winemakers will change their style to suit the big-name critic, thus making wine less like what I prefer.

Too much power in any single person is never a good thing. (Unless, of course, I was King For A Day. )

That said, there is something definitely fishy about this sudden distancing between WS and Suckling. I wonder if the true reason will ever be revealed.

If they can devide his duties among current staff, they are saving a salary by letting him go.

I don't like when an established/beloved wine changes to suit the critics. The magazine would do well with selecting writers with different tastes so the lighter old style wines get the claim they should. Not every wine has to be a bomb to taste good and/or true to its terrior.

Moses Botbol wrote:
I don't like when an established/beloved wine changes to suit the critics. The magazine would do well with selecting writers with different tastes so the lighter old style wines get the claim they should. Not every wine has to be a bomb to taste good and/or true to its terrior.

"Amen" to that.

Let me guess, Moses. Is that the reason why you really like Musar?

Whether Parker or otherwise, no single critic is always right. It is interesting to read a spectrum of professional opinions and amateurs too, to gain insight. When someone like Suckling has gained a reputation over a long period of time, it is easy to then calibrate one's palate vs. theirs. I only wish that James had been able to squeeze in the time for an updated edition of his great book on Vintage Port.

Roy Hersh wrote: I only wish that James had been able to squeeze in the time for an updated edition of his great book on Vintage Port.

Me too, maybe now he'll have the time to do it.

Andy Velebil wrote:

Roy Hersh wrote: I only wish that James had been able to squeeze in the time for an updated edition of his great book on Vintage Port.

Me too, maybe now he'll have the time to do it.

Would like to see an updated version too. Nice coffee table book would be great.