The much awaited reaction to James Suckling’s list! Thank you for making this video despite your busy schedule. Greatly appreciate your astute observations and insightful takeaways on his list of Top 100 wines. I wish we could see the list with complete rankings but, while that list is (still) being kept from being viewed by everyone (sorry to say but this is kind of annoying), we have this video to guide us and you to rely on. I’m so thrilled to learn from this video that his list features a lot of Bordeaux wines and several familiar and well-loved wines and producers including Domaine de Chevalier which I immensely enjoyed in a recent degustation of excellent vintages. Glad to know that Brunello wines are also on the list. Recently read in an article that El Enemigo (Cab Franc maybe) and Damilano Barolo are both among his top ranked wines, both I’ve enjoyed in the past. But the Rhone Valley wines not getting a lot of much-deserved attention on that list, I think, is a crime.😂 I’m sorry to say but that is a major oversight! Thank you, once again, for this outstanding video. I might have more reactions and comments later this week.😁 Santé, John!

I love James Suckling. Scores are all relative. If his scores are typically inflated just keep that in mind. So if he has a 97 point wine consider it a 94-95 point wine with others if your palate is similar to his. Others are harsher, some are more even keeled, etc. It's all relative in the end. The best thing to remember about scores is that they are a great start, but in the end you want to buy what you like! Thanks for the great content!

As a Riesling fan myself, I would have liked to see a Germany section of this video. He seemed to have a decent number of Rieslings on his list (although not all German). Riesling needs love too :)

After reading this comment I just ordered 6 bottles of the 904 here in Sweden. It was in fact just under $66 per bottle. Only 6 more bottles available. Thanks to you both!

Great recommendations! I've bought primeurs from domaine de chevalier from both 2021 and 2022 however it's the blanc version as it was recommended to me. I'm also glad we still have 904 2015 widely available here in Sweden (also to a great price it seems for $70). Seems like many are looking to the ardanza, alberdi or the arana. I myself have bought several cases of the Ardanza and I think it's one of my favourite wines and also great price to quality ratio.

Nice how you put things in perspective here. I like the fact that JS looked for value in his list and excluded wines >400 dollars. The Kumeu Mate’s vineyard is still one of the best buys in his list imo, you get a world class Chard for a fraction of the price in Burgundy. “Only” €54 for the 2022 at my wine merchant (less than 2021!)

Just compared the 904 2011 to the 2015 last week. Completely agree on waiting for the 2015, its great, still tight but itll be an even more amazing wine in the coming years. Thanks for your video!😊

Excellent video. I just bagged a handful of the 904 (2015) at a great price for such a good wine. I love it but...(this is a big but) there are a lot of Spanish wines not far behind for less mullah WT.

John, I have made a lot of purchases of wines this year and last year based on your recommendations. ZERO wines I have bought came from JS, in fact, I always evade wines that he rates. He is the Don King of wines ( remember that boxing promoter of the 90s ? ). I travelled today to TX and picked up Caterwaul, Feytit Clinet , and Laroque in an Imperial format. 3 wines that I bought because of YOU, not JS or WA. You should do your very own list, you have an exquisite taste and you have not sold your soul to the devil :)

Thanks, John. Looking forward to your 2019 Brunello di Montalcino review. I might bid for three when the Wine Society launches its en primeur offer next year. I already have three 2018s. Perhaps JS just doesn't like Syrah or GSM. In that case, strange - I love 'em. I drank a superb 2011 Barolo last weekend from Nadia Curto (La Foia), which will be followed by a 2011 Pauillac this Saturday: not the best year in Bordeaux so my last bottle probably needs consuming. I must look out for 2011 904: I opened my only 2007 last year and it was outstanding. I know Spain and Italy have risen in price but I think the former especially is still good value.

Thanks for some great new ideas for me: 2016 Brunello, and drink more Riesling!

Fantastic!Thank you!!!👌🥂🍷

I liked the list and the hot takes ! Great content ! Cheers !

I’m not sure if I was able to thank you for the pin, John. My apologies. Thank you so much for the pin; greatly appreciated! I wish you a fantastic new week ahead. Santé!

If you had to choose 2 whites from the list what would they be?

I agree that ratings matter, but Suckling continues to give wines higher ratings than virtually every major critic. I realize I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know, but thought newcomers should know this. It has gotten to the point that I don’t pay attention to him. That said, I do appreciate your analysis of his list, along with your own recommendations.

what to you think of the top 10 in general?

Gran Enemigo Cab Franc single vineyard Gualtallary is overall second in JS list, also 100 points by Parker. With a value of $55. Then he recommends as “a deal” a 97 point wine for $100. Not serious.

If you like the same wines James Suckling likes then the inflated ratings do not matter.

We know it's your Observations from James Sucklings Top 100 Wines of 2023, you don't need to repeat that every.single.time. Just a thought.

I used to defend Robert Parker, against amateur critics, or those with some wine experience from critiquing wine critics! If you have the chops go to the wineries, before any critic, releases their report, and put out your own critique of Wines across the world . It’s easy to critique someone else’s expertise !