Robert M. Parker, Jr. (born July
23, 1947) is a leading U.S. wine critic with an international influence. He
rates the wines on a 100-point scale and publishes the tasting notes in his
newsletter The Wine Advocate.
Robert Parker's rating system employs a 50-100 point quality scale which is
explaned here bellow:
96-100:
An extraordinary wine of profound and complex character
displaying all the attributes expected of a classic wine of its variety. Wines
of this caliber are worth a special effort to find, purchase, and consume.
90-95:
An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In
short, these are terrific wines.
80-89:
A barely above average to very good wine displaying various
degrees of finesse and flavor as well as character with no noticeable flaws.
70-79:
An average wine with little distinction except that it is a
soundly made. In essence, a straightforward, innocuous wine.
60-69:
A below average wine containing noticeable deficiencies, such
as excessive acidity and/or tannin, an absence of flavor, or possibly dirty
aromas or flavors.
50-59:
A wine deemed to be unacceptable
Wine Spectator is a leading Wine
Magazine with an international influence. The Magazine rates the wines on a
100-ponint scale. Wine Spectator editors review more than 15,000 wines each year
in blind tastings. Every issue of Wine Spectator magazine contains from 400 to
more than 1,000 wine reviews with detailed tasting notes and analysis. We set
stringent standards for ourselves and rely on the proven ability and experience
of our editors as tasters and critics. The following information outlines the
guidelines we follow in order to maintain the integrity of our tastings.
Wine Specatator’s rating system employs a 50-100 Point quality scale which is
explaned here bellow:
95-100 Classic: a great wine
90-94 Outstanding: a wine of superior character and style
85-89 Very good: a wine with special qualities
80-84 Good: a solid, well-made wine
75-79 Mediocre: a drinkable wine that may have minor
flaws
50-74 Not recommended
Parker and Wine Spactator are considerated to have a noticeable
impact on:
• the profession of wine critics, by stressing the need for independence from
the wine business
• consumers' buying habits, by introducing his now famous 100-point rating
system
• the quality of the wines produced
• the prices of wines sold on the market