All tastings reported in the Buying Guide are performed blind. Typically, products are tasted in peer-group flights of from 5-8 samples. Reviewers may know general information about a flight to provide context—vintage, variety or appellation—but never the producer or retail price of any given selection. When possible, products considered flawed or uncustomary are retasted.
About the Scores
Ratings reflect what our editors felt about a particular product. Beyond the rating, we encourage you to read the accompanying tasting note to learn about a product’s special characteristics.
98–100
Classic The pinnacle of quality
94–97
Superb A great achievement
90–93
Excellent Highly recommended
87–89
Very Good Often good value; well recommended
83–86
Good Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value
80–82
Acceptable Can be employed
Products deemed unacceptable (receiving a rating below 80 points) are not reviewed.
