NV Locations I2 (Orin Swift) 750 ml

“The Prisoner” in Italy: Robert Parker’s “Value Winemaker of the Year”

Robert Parker, Jr. graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1973. Two years later, the lawyer began to write about wine on the side, taking a cue from Ralph Nader and publishing his own “independent consumer’s guide.” Even as friends and family discouraged Parker from putting too much time and effort into his wine writing — thus risking his “career path” — Parker found himself more and more intrigued by his unpaid preoccupation.

The first issue of The Wine Advocate was published in 1978 and offered free of charge to a mailing list Parker purchased from a handful of fine wine retailers. Six hundred “charter” subscribers signed up for Issue #2.

Unlike other critics, Parker was brash and unequivocal. When he was high on a wine, he wrote as much — with no uncertainty. When underwhelmed, he was equally emphatic. His 100-point rating system for both wines and vintages was quickly adopted not only by retailers and importers, but also by wealthy wine buyers around the world.

Over the last 30 years, The Wine Advocate has published ecstatic reviews for hundreds of high-end releases from Bordeaux, Napa, Piedmont, and Tuscany. But rarely has the world’s most influential critic lavished the kind of praise on an under-$20 red as was found in Issue #213, when Parker raved about Dave Phinney and his phenomenal Locations I2.

Dave Phinney is best known for his runaway success with “The Prisoner.” Phinney’s full-throttle reds are fixtures on Wine Spectator’s annual Top 100 lists. But in 2012, the always-inventive winemaker took his “Prisoner” road show to Italy, putting out a luscious, high-toned blend of dense Nero D’Avola, wildly aromatic Negroamaro, and rich, floral Barbera.

Parker called the Locations I2 “serious” and an “incredible effort … if you judge wines on how they taste and the degree of pleasure they offer.” The acclaimed critic described “notes of wild herbs, licorice, tomato skins, black olives, red and black currants, cherries, barbecue spice and burning embers.” Then RP lobbed on the finishing touch, writing, “As of now, Dave Phinney might be my ‘value winemaker of the year’ candidate. … If there are better wines for under $20 a bottle in the world today, please share that information with The Wine Advocate.”

The last 1,200 bottles of the luscious Orin Swift Locations I2 have been earmarked for WineAccess.  Just $16.99 for a VERY short while this morning.