High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Robert M. Parker, Jr. (born July 23, 1947) is a leading U.S. wine critic with an international influence. His wine ratings on a 100-point scale and his extremely descriptive tasting notes, published in his newsletter The Wine Advocate, define modern American wine criticism and are a major factor in setting the prices for newly-released Bordeaux wines. Despite occasional controversy surrounding his reviews and scores, he continues to be the most influential fine wine critic in the world today.