'Robert M. Parker, Jr.'

Robert M. Parker, Jr. is a leading influential wine critic. The most influential impact of Parker's writing is his 100-point ranking system. The scale ranks wine on a scale from 50 to 100 points, on color and appearance, aroma and bouquet, flavor and finish, and overall quality level or potential.

The scale was developed to counter what Parker believed to be confusing or inflated ratings by other wine writers, many of whom Parker also accused of a conflict of interest, as they often had a financial interest in the wines they rated. His 100 point ratings and florid tasting notes define wine criticism, and are a major contributor to the prices for newly-released Bordeaux wine.

Parker is an avid fan of Bordeaux and wine investors rely extensively or even exclusively on Parker's numbers, buying only wines he rates at 90-95 points ("outstanding" in Parker's system) or above. This has had the dual effect of driving the prices for 90+ wines very high, and also making wines rated from 75-79 ("above average") or even 80-89 ("very good") hard to sell, even though some of these may in fact be excellent bargains.

Because of his powerful influence, his experiences have ranged from having two chateau owners offer him the sexual favours of their daughters to receiving death threats. On one occasion the manager of Chateau Cheval Blanc, Jacques Hebrard, was outraged at Parker's evaluation of his 81 vintage barrel samples and asked Parker to re-taste. Upon arriving, Parker was attacked by Hebrard's dog as the manager stood idly by and watched. When Parker asked for a bandage to stop the bleeding from his leg, Parker says Hebrard instead gave him a copy of the offending newsletter.