Longtime Wine Spectator Napa Bureau Chief James Laube Dies

James Laube, longtime Wine Spectator senior editor and Napa bureau chief, has died at age 73 after a short illness. A writer and taster with the magazine for nearly four decades, Laube helped shape the California wine industry and educated and entertained thousands of wine lovers who read his articles. In the process, he helped build Wine Spectator into the world’s leading magazine for wine.

“California wine would not be what it is without James Laube,” said Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Wine Spectator since 1979. “I hired him at a young age, but he was already years ahead of others when it came to knowledge and understanding of California wine. For more than 30 years, we worked together and traveled the world together. His impact on California Cabernet in particular was incredible.”

Chuck Wagner, owner of Napa’s Caymus Vineyards, remembers Laube as a tough but fair critic. “The industry owes Jim Laube a large measure of gratitude,” said Wagner. “He never played politics. He was not ego driven. Always honest, he tasted blind and was a true authority on wine.” Wine Spectator has more on Laube’s life and career.

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