Wine Spectator

Each wine region is the sole jurisdiction of one editor who has developed an expertise in that region's offerings. Other editors can offer opinions, but the final say comes from the region's primary editor.

All tastings are conducted "blind". Tasters are told the type of wine (varietal or region) and vintage. Flawed wines or wines that score very highly are re-tasted. European wines are sometimes tasted in the districts that yield them, where fresher, perfectly stored examples will be readily available. Wine ratings are based on how good a wine will be when it reaches its peak, regardless of how soon that will be. If barrel samples are being rated rather than finished wines, that is revealed.

Wine Spectator's 100-Point Scale:

• 95-100 – Classic; a great wine
• 90-94 – Outstanding; superior character and style
• 80-89 – Good to very good; wine with special qualities
• 70-79 – Average; drinkable wine that may have minor flaws
• 60-69 – Below average; drinkable but not recommended
• 50-59 – Poor; undrinkable, not recommended