CENTRE COUNTY — When shopping for wine, apart from information on the wine label, one way to understand what is in the bottle is by reading the wine note cards on the displays. These cards will often contain a breakdown of the wine’s flavors or a winemaker note. They also will commonly have a wine critic point score listed.
Wine scores are essentially ratings given to wines by professional critics and publications. The most well-known scoring systems come from sources like Wine Spectator, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Wine Enthusiast and James Suckling. These critics use a 100-point scale, which scores wines into the following categories:
- 95 to 100 points — Exceptional. A truly outstanding wine with complexity, balance and a memorable character.
- 90 to 94 points — Excellent. A high-quality wine that delivers superior taste and craftsmanship.
- 85 to 89 — Very good. A solid choice, well-made and enjoyable.
- 80 to 84 — Good. Drinkable but without the wow factor.
- Below 80 — Acceptable. These are not often seen in shops.
While wine tasting is quite subjective due to each person’s palate having unique preferences, professional critics aim to standardize their evaluations by considering key objective factors.
THE FACTORS BEHIND A WINE SCORE
Apart from the flavors found in the aromas and on the palate, there are also qualities in the wine that are assessed. These include acidity, body, tannins (the part of the wine that dries out the interior of the mouth), alcohol, sweetness level and finish (how long the pleasant flavors of the wine last in your mouth after you swallow the wine).
The first key factor wine critics assess is the balance of those components of the wine. A highly rated wine will have harmony between each component. If one element overpowers the others, the wine may feel unbalanced.
Additionally, wine raters consider the complexity of a wine. Wines with layers of aromas and flavors that evolve and go on a flavor journey while drinking the wine tend to score higher. The more nuances a wine reveals as you sip, the more intriguing it is.
Another consideration is the wine’s typicity. Typicity looks at how well the wine represents its grape variety and region. A well-made cabernet sauvignon from Napa should showcase bold fruit, structure and depth, while a riesling from Germany should be crisp and aromatic.
Lastly, wine raters will take into account the age of wine. While some wines are made to be consumed young and not sit in a cellar for decades, some wines are built to improve over time.
Critics evaluate how a wine’s structure — the alcohol, acidity, tannins, body and sweetness — suggests its potential to evolve in the bottle.
SHOULD YOU CHASE THE HIGH SCORES?
While a 95-point wine might sound like a guaranteed winner, wine drinkers should not let the numbers dictate their taste. While there is a level of objectivity to wine assessments, scores are still subjective — based on the critic’s palate, preferences or even mood on a given day. A high-scoring wine might be incredible, but if you don’t love bold, oak-aged reds, a 96-point cabernet might not be the right bottle to buy.
Instead, think of scores as a helpful reference rather than a rule. If you find a critic whose taste aligns with yours, their scores might be a useful guide. But at the end of the day, wine is about enjoyment, not math.
