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 re-tasted.
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.
