Understanding Wine Scores

Wine scores remain a topic of great debate but love or hate them, they are here to stay. On one hand, they help evaluate the quality of a wine so that consumers can make a judgment call on what to buy, but on the other, they help drive up the prices of popular wines. We will delve into the subject of wine scores, explore who assigns them, and examine their influence on the wine market.

Often seen as a reliable shortcut for assessing quality, these scores are ubiquitous in the wine industry. But what do they actually mean, and how should they influence your buying decisions?

 

What are Wine Scores?

Wine scores are a numerical representation of a wine's quality, typically assessed by wine critics and publications. They're intended to reflect the quality, taste, and overall experience of the wine in question, and are often based on a 100-point scale. This system, popularised by critics such as Robert Parker, is now widely used by a range of publications and wine critics.

The idea behind these scores is simple: to provide a quick, easily understandable way of rating wines against each other. These scores are often accompanied by tasting notes which give more detail about the wine's character, flavour profile, and potential ageing capability.

 

Why do we use wine scores?

Assessment of quality: Using scores helps assess the quality of a wine and helps to break down an often complex topic into an easy-to-understand number.

Broad tastings: As much as we'd like to have a vertical of Mouton Rothschild 1990-2010 to open and taste for all of our clients, unfortunately, that is not always possible. Wineries and wine critics organise broad tastings of these rare-to-find and often expensive bottles helping you make a judgement on what you should be buying. Wine critics also spend several weeks or sometimes months working on reports of the best Italian wines to buy, or taste through all of the Bordeaux Chateaux's during en primeur. Their comprehensive reports cover a broad selection of wines that help inform consumers who have not tasted the wines yet.

Impartial opinion: Wine scores and opinions recorded by wine publications/wine critics help to establish an impartial opinion on what consumers should be buying. As a wine merchant, we have our own opinion and what great wine is and we hope with time that you learn to trust our judgement. Following the impartial judgement of the wine critics helps consumers make a judgement. If you find that your palate matches that of a certain critic, it's a good idea to use that as a base to explore and find new wines that they recommend. It's a bit like having that cool friend who would recommend great music that you always like.

The 100-Point rating system devised by Robert Parker Jr / The Wine Advocate:

Numerical ratings known as wine scores are assigned to evaluate the quality of a wine by critics and publications. These scores typically range from 0 to 100, with higher numbers indicating better quality. Although some publications use a 20-point rating system, this is less common. Robert Parker Jr. popularized the wine scoring system through his publication, The Wine Advocate. The following is the general breakdown of wine scores:

 

95 to 100: Classic, a great wine with superior character and style. 100 points are rare and mean the wine is perfect. These should not be missed.
90 to 94: Outstanding, exceptional quality and character
85 to 89: Very good, with special qualities
80 to 84: Good, solid wine with minor flaws
75 to 79: Mediocre, drinkable but not recommended
70 to 74: Not recommended
Scores below 70 are uncommon and usually indicate that the wine has major flaws.

 

In reality, what is a good score?

When it comes to fine wines the reality is that the scale shrinks to between 90 and 100 points. We tend to focus on wines that are 93 points or higher for example.

 

Drinking dates:

When exploring the world of fine wine, one of the terms you may encounter is "drinking dates" or "drink window." This term is crucial for collectors, enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to experience a wine at its peak of flavour and complexity. Drinking dates provide a recommended timeframe within which a wine is expected to show its best characteristics. 

These dates also indicate a wine's ageing potential. Some wines are made to be consumed young, while others can be aged for decades, developing more complexity and depth over time.

 

Burgundy produces some of the world's most sought-after wines but they rarely score in the high 90's. This should not put consumers off as it's more about following your favourite producers than it is about collecting points/scores. That is hoping that you have an allocation in the first place which in today's market can be rather difficult.

Village Burgundy tends to score between 88-90 points

Premier Cru Burgundy tends to be between 90-94 points 

Grand Cru Burgundy tends to be between 92-96 points and exceptional bottles like DRC scoring higher.

How markets and wine prices are affected:

Consumers tend to want the higher-scored wines resulting in prices of those moving up. We've seen wines double in price overnight after they received a 100-Point rating from the Wine Advocate. 

 

Who sets wine scores?

The most influential ratings come from well-known critics and publications in the wine industry. These include:

Robert Parker and The Wine Advocate: Parker is one of the most influential wine critics in the world, and his 100-point system has been adopted by many others.

Wine Spectator: A popular magazine among consumers and industry professionals, which conducts blind tastings and publishes scores.

Decanter: A prestigious wine magazine known for its rigorous tasting panels and honest scores.

Vinous: Antonio Galloni

 

The Importance of Context

While these scores can be helpful, it's important to remember that they're subjective and reflect a single person's opinion at a given moment in time. Factors such as the critic's personal preference, the conditions under which the wine was tasted, and even the critic's mood can influence the score a wine receives.

 

Beyond the Score: Understanding Tasting Notes

A score doesn't tell you about the flavour profile, body, or aroma of a wine, which are often far more relevant to your choices than the score itself. Tasting notes that usually accompany scores provide more context and can be key to understanding if you'll likely enjoy the wine. Terms such as "full-bodied", "fruity", "tannic", or "oaky" convey the taste experience more than the score alone ever could.

 

When Should You Trust Wine Scores?

Consistency Across Critics: If multiple critics give high scores to the same wine, it could indicate that the wine has universally appreciated qualities.

Know the Reviewer: Learning about the critic's palate and preferences can help you align their tastes with yours, making their scores more meaningful to you.

Vintage Variations: Wine scores are vintage-specific since the weather and growing conditions each year impact the wine's quality. A high score for a 2015 vintage may not apply to a 2016 bottle.

Type and Region: Certain critics specialize in certain wine types or regions. Look for scores from these experts when shopping for wines from specific areas.

 

The Big Picture

Ultimately, wine scores can be a useful tool, but they should be only one part of your decision-making process. Your personal taste preference is paramount and often the best guide when selecting wine. It’s essential to taste different wines yourself, learn what you enjoy, and not be overly influenced by the opinions of others—even those of esteemed critics.

Stay ahead of the curve. Our newsletter delivers the latest releases, trends, and special offers in the world of fine wine. 

Latest releases | Trends & insights | Exclusive deals