Wine Vintage Chart
Wine Score Guide
Understanding Wine Vintage Ratings and Scoring Systems
Quick Answer
Wine scores are quality ratings assigned by professional critics on a 100-point scale. Scores of 95+ are Legendary (S+), 93-94 Outstanding (S), 89-92 Excellent (A), 80-88 Good (B), and below 80 Fair (C). By averaging scores from 4 major critics — Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate, Wine Enthusiast, and Wine-Searcher — you get the most objective assessment of vintage quality.
Grading System
Must-buy vintages with exceptional quality. Investment-worthy wines.
Excellent vintage with remarkable depth and complexity.
Very good quality. Great for drinking and moderate cellaring.
Decent quality suitable for everyday drinking.
Below average. Consider avoiding or use for cooking.
The 4 Major Wine Critics
One of the most influential wine publications. Covers global wine regions with tasting panels.
Founded by Robert Parker. Known for the 100-point Parker Scale. Focuses on Bordeaux and Rhône.
Rates 24,000+ wines annually via blind tasting. Broad coverage across all price ranges.
Aggregates scores from 40+ critics worldwide. Provides critic consensus scores.
What Makes a Good Vintage?
☀️ Good Vintage Conditions
- Adequate sunshine with moderate temperatures
- Warm days and cool nights (diurnal range)
- Balanced rainfall (not too much, not too little)
- Dry, clear weather during harvest
🌧️ Bad Vintage Factors
- Excessive rain or hail damage
- Frost damage to vines
- Extreme heat causing overripeness
- Heavy rain during harvest causing dilution
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 90-point wine mean?
A 90-point wine falls in the "A" grade (Excellent) category on our scale, ranging from 89-92 points. This indicates a very good vintage with consistent quality across regions. These wines are great for drinking and moderate cellaring.
Are wine scores reliable?
Individual critic scores can vary based on personal preferences. By averaging scores from 4 major critics (Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate, Wine Enthusiast, Wine-Searcher), vintage charts provide a more balanced and reliable assessment of overall quality.
What makes a vintage year good or bad?
A good vintage year depends on weather conditions during the growing season: adequate sunshine, moderate rainfall, warm days and cool nights. Bad vintages are caused by excessive rain, hail, frost, or extreme heat that damage grape quality. Each region has different climate patterns, so a great year in Bordeaux may not be great in Burgundy.
Which wine critic should I follow?
Rather than following a single critic, use averaged scores from multiple sources for the most objective view. Wine Spectator is great for broad coverage, Wine Advocate for Bordeaux expertise, Wine Enthusiast for value wines, and Wine-Searcher for aggregated consensus. Our vintage chart combines all four.
Does a higher score mean a better wine for me?
Not necessarily. Scores measure technical quality, not personal preference. A 92-point Burgundy Pinot Noir may not suit someone who prefers bold Napa Cabernet. Use scores as a quality indicator, but pair them with your taste preferences, food pairing needs, and budget.