Wine Rating Systems
A look at how major publications rated and sometimes continues to rate wine, however these methodologies tend to evolve with time.
Wine Spectator's 100-Point Scale
95-100 Classic: a great wine
90-94 Outstanding: superior character and style
85-89 Very good: wine with special qualities
80-84 Good: a solid, well-made wine
70-79 Average: drinkable wine that may have minor flaws
60-69 Below average: drinkable but not recommended
50-59 Poor: undrinkable, not recommended
A score given as a range (e.g., 90-94) indicates a preliminary score, usually based on a barrel tasting.
The Wine Advocate Rating System (Robert Parker)
96-100: An extraordinary wine of profound and complex character displaying all the attributes expected of a classic wine of its variety. Wines of this caliber are worth a special effort to find, purchase, and consume.
90-95: An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines.
80-89: A barely above average to very good wine displaying various degrees of finesse and flavor as well as character with no noticeable flaws.
70-79: An average wine with little distinction except that it is a soundly made. In essence, a straightforward, innocuous wine.
60-69: A below average wine containing noticeable deficiencies, such as excessive acidity and/or tannin, an absence of flavor, or possibly dirty aromas or flavors.
50-59: A wine deemed to be unacceptable.
Scores in parentheses indicate that the wine was tasted from barrel.
Wine Enthusiast Rating System
Classic 98-100: The pinnacle of quality.
Superb 94-97: A great achievement.
Excellent 90-93: Highly recommended.
Very Good 87-89: Often good value; well recommended.
Good 83-86: Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value.
Acceptable 80-82: Can be employed in casual, less-critical circumstances.
Wines receiving a rating below 80 are not reviewed.
Connoisseur’s Guide to California
THREE STARS (95-98 points): An exceptional wine. Worth a special search of the market.
TWO STARS (91-94 points): A highly distinctive wine. Likely to be memorable.
ONE STAR (87-90 points): Fine example of a type or style of wine. Without notable flaws.
80-86 points: Wines of varying quality and value. See tasting notes for details.
70-79 points: Flawed wines to be avoided.
Note: Wines not marked with stars are often delightful wines. Each has unique virtues and any of these wines may be the best wine to serve your needs based on value, availability or for your dining and taste preferences.
The Wine Analyst
95-100: Extraordinary
90-94: Outstanding
85-89: Very Good to Excellent
80-84: Good
75-79: Average
70-74: Below Average
<70: Avoid
Stephan Tanzer
95-100: Extraordinary
90-94: Outstanding
85-89: Very Good to Excellent
80-84: Good
75-79: Average
70-74: Below Average
<70: Avoid
A "+" after a score denotes a wine that is likely to merit a higher rating in the future. All wines rated 90 or better are highly recommended additions to your cellar; wines rated at least 85 are recommended bottles that should provide pleasurable drinking.