James Suckling, Senior Editor and European Bureau Chief, Tuscany

Tasting Beat: Bordeaux, Italy, Port

James Suckling joined Wine Spectator in San Diego in 1981. He moved with the magazine to San Francisco in 1982, and in 1985 was reassigned to Europe. He lived in Paris for two years and then moved to London, where he resided for 11 years. He now lives in Tuscany, Italy.

Suckling began blind-tasting young Bordeaux in 1983 with the late author and wine producer Alexis Lichine, and he has continued to rate every vintage of Bordeaux in barrel and in bottle ever since. He spends at least a month each year in Bordeaux tasting wines and visting châteaus. He also tastes the wines of Italy for the magazine, reviewing more than 2,000 samples a year.

Suckling's book Vintage Port was published in 1990. He continues to write about and rate the fortified wines of Portugal.