Mark Squires
@marksquires.com
Wine Critic 2006--June 2023 @ RobertParker WineAdvocate, mostly for Portugal, Greece, USA OFF West Coast (like NY & VA).
RECOVERED LAWYER! Good at politics,SyFy,music, films, etc.
MarkSquiresWine@Mastodon.social; Instagram; Ex-Post.
RECOVERED LAWYER! Good at politics,SyFy,music, films, etc.
MarkSquiresWine@Mastodon.social; Instagram; Ex-Post.
Pinned
Mark Squires
@marksquires.com
· Mar 13
First post. In the '90s, I had what might be called one of the original wine blogs. I later started working (2001) and reviewing (2006) wines for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, covering Portugal, Greece, the USA other than the West Coast, and other areas (until June 30, 2023; last day).
Whoa. That's even more than me!
Those glasses do look kind of small though. How many can you drink this Thanksgiving?😈
#wine🍾
Those glasses do look kind of small though. How many can you drink this Thanksgiving?😈
#wine🍾
225 glasses of wine, representing the average monthly per-capita alcohol consumption (wine, beer, and spirits) in France in 1952.
November 27, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Whoa. That's even more than me!
Those glasses do look kind of small though. How many can you drink this Thanksgiving?😈
#wine🍾
Those glasses do look kind of small though. How many can you drink this Thanksgiving?😈
#wine🍾
1/2
This single-vineyard Cab Sauv from Hatzimichalis deserves some plaudits for passing the 20-year point with some improvement, but it's easy to like, not as easy to love.It shows mid-palate finesse & silky elegance to go with some astringency. It's never very expressive; a certain dullness lingers
This single-vineyard Cab Sauv from Hatzimichalis deserves some plaudits for passing the 20-year point with some improvement, but it's easy to like, not as easy to love.It shows mid-palate finesse & silky elegance to go with some astringency. It's never very expressive; a certain dullness lingers
November 26, 2025 at 12:35 PM
1/2
This single-vineyard Cab Sauv from Hatzimichalis deserves some plaudits for passing the 20-year point with some improvement, but it's easy to like, not as easy to love.It shows mid-palate finesse & silky elegance to go with some astringency. It's never very expressive; a certain dullness lingers
This single-vineyard Cab Sauv from Hatzimichalis deserves some plaudits for passing the 20-year point with some improvement, but it's easy to like, not as easy to love.It shows mid-palate finesse & silky elegance to go with some astringency. It's never very expressive; a certain dullness lingers
1/3 at least 😀A Port saga.
Why you got to do me like that? This near-50-year was spontaneously leaking--a dying cork. ⏰⏰⏰Rarely happens, but cards are dealt. Força Portugal! Let's g-o-o-oooo.
No tongs. Gave up & pushed it in after struggles; faster. Filtered bits of cork & a ton of sediment.
To 2
Why you got to do me like that? This near-50-year was spontaneously leaking--a dying cork. ⏰⏰⏰Rarely happens, but cards are dealt. Força Portugal! Let's g-o-o-oooo.
No tongs. Gave up & pushed it in after struggles; faster. Filtered bits of cork & a ton of sediment.
To 2
November 25, 2025 at 12:58 PM
1/3 at least 😀A Port saga.
Why you got to do me like that? This near-50-year was spontaneously leaking--a dying cork. ⏰⏰⏰Rarely happens, but cards are dealt. Força Portugal! Let's g-o-o-oooo.
No tongs. Gave up & pushed it in after struggles; faster. Filtered bits of cork & a ton of sediment.
To 2
Why you got to do me like that? This near-50-year was spontaneously leaking--a dying cork. ⏰⏰⏰Rarely happens, but cards are dealt. Força Portugal! Let's g-o-o-oooo.
No tongs. Gave up & pushed it in after struggles; faster. Filtered bits of cork & a ton of sediment.
To 2
If you see this post your getaway vehicle
November 22, 2025 at 8:52 PM
If you see this post your getaway vehicle
1/2
Haven't posted on this for well over a year--always good to check in--and since this one was with BlueSky'er Sandwich King @lifeattable.bsky.social, why not?
a.co/d/izR5pRN
For wine:
Haven't posted on this for well over a year--always good to check in--and since this one was with BlueSky'er Sandwich King @lifeattable.bsky.social, why not?
a.co/d/izR5pRN
For wine:
November 22, 2025 at 4:59 PM
1/2
Haven't posted on this for well over a year--always good to check in--and since this one was with BlueSky'er Sandwich King @lifeattable.bsky.social, why not?
a.co/d/izR5pRN
For wine:
Haven't posted on this for well over a year--always good to check in--and since this one was with BlueSky'er Sandwich King @lifeattable.bsky.social, why not?
a.co/d/izR5pRN
For wine:
1/2 This medium-dry Niagara Riesling is fresh and bright, most of all--beautifully balanced. It has a fair share of sugar but the acidity gobbles it up; it seems dry-ish, not sugary. It's not a big or dense wine, but you look up and it touched all the bases. And it's gone. And you would like more.
November 21, 2025 at 12:24 PM
1/2 This medium-dry Niagara Riesling is fresh and bright, most of all--beautifully balanced. It has a fair share of sugar but the acidity gobbles it up; it seems dry-ish, not sugary. It's not a big or dense wine, but you look up and it touched all the bases. And it's gone. And you would like more.
Did I go into some other timeline? How do I get back?
November 20, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Did I go into some other timeline? How do I get back?
Personally, I've never been much of a fan of the Michelin Guide ratings. But they just came to my city and there's talk of little else.For those interested,here's the local experts rebuttal of sorts. Free gift link, should be no paywall.
share.inquirer.com/etNZeh
#food #philadelphia #michelinguide
share.inquirer.com/etNZeh
#food #philadelphia #michelinguide
Did Michelin get it right? The Inquirer food team weighs in on its Philly picks.
What Michelin missed — and what it got right — in its inaugural rating of Philadelphia's food scene.
share.inquirer.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Personally, I've never been much of a fan of the Michelin Guide ratings. But they just came to my city and there's talk of little else.For those interested,here's the local experts rebuttal of sorts. Free gift link, should be no paywall.
share.inquirer.com/etNZeh
#food #philadelphia #michelinguide
share.inquirer.com/etNZeh
#food #philadelphia #michelinguide
Reposted by Mark Squires
First post. In the '90s, I had what might be called one of the original wine blogs. I later started working (2001) and reviewing (2006) wines for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, covering Portugal, Greece, the USA other than the West Coast, and other areas (until June 30, 2023; last day).
March 13, 2024 at 2:37 PM
First post. In the '90s, I had what might be called one of the original wine blogs. I later started working (2001) and reviewing (2006) wines for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, covering Portugal, Greece, the USA other than the West Coast, and other areas (until June 30, 2023; last day).
1/2 1998 Montpeyroux for the win! Bought a case of this Syrah-dominant wine back when (only $25 per!),drank it all as of 3 years back. Um, why is this still here? Miscounted somehow.
And that last bottle was uninspiring. I would have assumed this was dead. Never assume, peeps! Use that corkscrew.
And that last bottle was uninspiring. I would have assumed this was dead. Never assume, peeps! Use that corkscrew.
November 19, 2025 at 12:48 PM
1/2 1998 Montpeyroux for the win! Bought a case of this Syrah-dominant wine back when (only $25 per!),drank it all as of 3 years back. Um, why is this still here? Miscounted somehow.
And that last bottle was uninspiring. I would have assumed this was dead. Never assume, peeps! Use that corkscrew.
And that last bottle was uninspiring. I would have assumed this was dead. Never assume, peeps! Use that corkscrew.
1/2 Unlike its heralded counterpart from Northern Greece (Xinomavro),I tend to drink Agiorgitiko younger,but this beautifully structured red seemed likely to age and improve. Oh yeah. In prime time, it's got bite and velvet on the finish, and delivers waves of red-fruit flavor,without candied notes.
November 17, 2025 at 12:22 PM
1/2 Unlike its heralded counterpart from Northern Greece (Xinomavro),I tend to drink Agiorgitiko younger,but this beautifully structured red seemed likely to age and improve. Oh yeah. In prime time, it's got bite and velvet on the finish, and delivers waves of red-fruit flavor,without candied notes.
Ah, leaf season. Decision to occupy a high-rise rather than a single-family home looks better every year. That pile of leaves, not my building, but nearby & when they pile up in front of my building--ain't me sweeping them up😊 That's what building staff is for. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
November 14, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Ah, leaf season. Decision to occupy a high-rise rather than a single-family home looks better every year. That pile of leaves, not my building, but nearby & when they pile up in front of my building--ain't me sweeping them up😊 That's what building staff is for. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
1/2 This traditional (unfiltered, long cork) old vines LBV is a fine off-vintage success, sensual today, caressing in texture, delicious on the finish too. At age 15, its structure is less imposing & it has always been a touch compact, but air makes it lively, focused and gripping.
To 2
#wine
To 2
#wine
November 13, 2025 at 12:39 PM
1/2 This traditional (unfiltered, long cork) old vines LBV is a fine off-vintage success, sensual today, caressing in texture, delicious on the finish too. At age 15, its structure is less imposing & it has always been a touch compact, but air makes it lively, focused and gripping.
To 2
#wine
To 2
#wine
It is getting harder to remember that the word "presidential" used to mean something.
#veteransday
#veteransday
November 11, 2025 at 11:17 PM
It is getting harder to remember that the word "presidential" used to mean something.
#veteransday
#veteransday
beware--just got a chat request asking me to verify account, threatening me with suspension
--When I started that process, eventually wound up in a place asking me to give them a credit card. Yeah, uh huh, sure.
--Reported. Their account profile has bsky.social but with two yys--bskyy
#scam
--When I started that process, eventually wound up in a place asking me to give them a credit card. Yeah, uh huh, sure.
--Reported. Their account profile has bsky.social but with two yys--bskyy
#scam
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
beware--just got a chat request asking me to verify account, threatening me with suspension
--When I started that process, eventually wound up in a place asking me to give them a credit card. Yeah, uh huh, sure.
--Reported. Their account profile has bsky.social but with two yys--bskyy
#scam
--When I started that process, eventually wound up in a place asking me to give them a credit card. Yeah, uh huh, sure.
--Reported. Their account profile has bsky.social but with two yys--bskyy
#scam
1/2 This '04 Naoussa (all Xinomavro) is super. It's (no surprise) acquired more harmony in the cellar, but the brightness typical of the grape makes it fresh, lively and vibrant. If the tannins have moderated, this still has some power. The fruit is prime time, mid-palate finesse is very appealing.
November 10, 2025 at 12:43 PM
1/2 This '04 Naoussa (all Xinomavro) is super. It's (no surprise) acquired more harmony in the cellar, but the brightness typical of the grape makes it fresh, lively and vibrant. If the tannins have moderated, this still has some power. The fruit is prime time, mid-palate finesse is very appealing.
share.inquirer.com/eHjc2i
gift link, no paywall hopefully
Sorry I'm not going to this, but Samara Joy is a joy to listen to. One of the great young singers around. Young woman, old soul.
#music #jazz #philadelphia
gift link, no paywall hopefully
Sorry I'm not going to this, but Samara Joy is a joy to listen to. One of the great young singers around. Young woman, old soul.
#music #jazz #philadelphia
Samara Joy will celebrate her 26th birthday, onstage in Philly, the city where her grandparents founded a savings club-cum-gospel group
The Grammy winning jazz singer, who has deep ties to the city, will kick off the final leg of her tour for her album 'Portrait' at the Miller Theater
share.inquirer.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:29 PM
share.inquirer.com/eHjc2i
gift link, no paywall hopefully
Sorry I'm not going to this, but Samara Joy is a joy to listen to. One of the great young singers around. Young woman, old soul.
#music #jazz #philadelphia
gift link, no paywall hopefully
Sorry I'm not going to this, but Samara Joy is a joy to listen to. One of the great young singers around. Young woman, old soul.
#music #jazz #philadelphia
@phillies.bsky.social Meanwhile, an Inky columnist thinks Harper should go back to the outfield and the Phils should sign Alonso.
Offensively, that makes sense. But Harper's had arm problems. And is Alonso available or is "at any price" the rule here?
Offensively, that makes sense. But Harper's had arm problems. And is Alonso available or is "at any price" the rule here?
November 7, 2025 at 12:00 PM
@phillies.bsky.social Meanwhile, an Inky columnist thinks Harper should go back to the outfield and the Phils should sign Alonso.
Offensively, that makes sense. But Harper's had arm problems. And is Alonso available or is "at any price" the rule here?
Offensively, that makes sense. But Harper's had arm problems. And is Alonso available or is "at any price" the rule here?
Most of us are old enough to remember when we had presidents who were actually human beings and decent people. Maybe we'll do that again one day.
Remember the time Obama personally caught a fainting woman during his speech — rather than just blankly staring like a sociopath?
Character isn't something you tell people about.
It's something you live.
Character isn't something you tell people about.
It's something you live.
November 7, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Most of us are old enough to remember when we had presidents who were actually human beings and decent people. Maybe we'll do that again one day.
1/2
Dona Maria (the producer, in very small print) tends to make wines that hold well (an old tradition for them in Alentejo, Portugal). This old vines Alicante Bouschet J.B. Bastos is no exception. From a fine '07 vintage, it projects primetime, palate-coating fruit.
To 2
#wine #portugal
Dona Maria (the producer, in very small print) tends to make wines that hold well (an old tradition for them in Alentejo, Portugal). This old vines Alicante Bouschet J.B. Bastos is no exception. From a fine '07 vintage, it projects primetime, palate-coating fruit.
To 2
#wine #portugal
November 6, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Well, that seems really easy. I bet I can find something red in the drinks area.
It won't be wine. But it is from Wine country, Napa
It won't be wine. But it is from Wine country, Napa
November 3, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Well, that seems really easy. I bet I can find something red in the drinks area.
It won't be wine. But it is from Wine country, Napa
It won't be wine. But it is from Wine country, Napa
1/2 This top-level cuvée was a winner in 2013 & it's aging effortlessly. Mostly all from the winery's 1990 Long Island, N.Y. vines (but it might fool right-bank Bordeaux lovers), this Merlot has bite on the finish,velvet for texture, a touch of wood & finesse. It tightens and evolves with air.
To 2
To 2
November 3, 2025 at 12:29 PM
1/2 This top-level cuvée was a winner in 2013 & it's aging effortlessly. Mostly all from the winery's 1990 Long Island, N.Y. vines (but it might fool right-bank Bordeaux lovers), this Merlot has bite on the finish,velvet for texture, a touch of wood & finesse. It tightens and evolves with air.
To 2
To 2
One of my all-time favorite Halloween cartoons.
h/t Dr. Julie Reshe from the days I was on Facebook
#halloween
h/t Dr. Julie Reshe from the days I was on Facebook
#halloween
October 31, 2025 at 12:37 PM
One of my all-time favorite Halloween cartoons.
h/t Dr. Julie Reshe from the days I was on Facebook
#halloween
h/t Dr. Julie Reshe from the days I was on Facebook
#halloween
1/2 I have luck (good storage, foresight in choosing and care in provenance=luck!) with my oldies,but this is showing a bit too old from this bottle.As saying goes,with age it's often about the bottle, not the wine.The nose is uninviting on many levels. Structure is good, but fruit shows some decay.
October 31, 2025 at 12:09 PM
1/2 I have luck (good storage, foresight in choosing and care in provenance=luck!) with my oldies,but this is showing a bit too old from this bottle.As saying goes,with age it's often about the bottle, not the wine.The nose is uninviting on many levels. Structure is good, but fruit shows some decay.