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Style words like oaky, crisp, or tannic matter more than the number.
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Buying & Occasions
Shelf tags shout "92 points!" but what does that actually mean? Here is how wine scores work and how to use them to find bottles you will like.
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Here are wine ratings explained in one sentence: a score is an expert’s judgment of quality, expressed as a number. The most common system in the US is the 100-point scale, which works a bit like school grades. In practice, almost every published score falls between 80 and 100. Roughly speaking, 95 to 100 means exceptional, a classic wine. 90 to 94 is outstanding, with real complexity and character. 85 to 89 is very good, a well-made wine worth drinking. 80 to 84 is good but plain. Scores below 80 are rarely published. Critics consider things like balance, intensity, complexity, length of finish, and how typical the wine is of its grape and region. They often note an ideal drinking window too. Different publications use slightly different bands, so treat these as a general guide rather than an exact rule.
The 20-point scale is popular in the UK and parts of Europe. Here, 17 to 18 points is excellent and 19 to 20 is a rare, outstanding wine. Five-star ratings appear in wine apps and some magazines. App stars are averages from thousands of everyday drinkers. That makes them useful for spotting crowd-pleasers, but they tend to favor smooth, fruity, slightly sweet styles over high-acid or tannic wines that need food or age. Competition medals (gold, silver, bronze) come from panels tasting many wines at once. A medal shows a wine impressed a group of judges on one day, but competitions vary widely in size and rigor, and some award medals generously. Shop staff picks and tasting notes are underrated. A good local merchant who knows your taste can be more useful than any number.
A score tells you that a skilled taster found a wine well made, concentrated, and balanced. That is useful, especially in an unfamiliar region. But a score cannot tell you whether you will enjoy it. A powerful, oaky Cabernet Sauvignon and a delicate, crisp Riesling might both score 93, yet taste nothing alike. If you dislike oak, the Cabernet may disappoint you despite its rating. Scores also tend to reward intensity. Bold, ripe wines often impress in a lineup, while subtle, lighter wines may score lower even when they are delicious with food. Context matters. A wine tasted young may be scored on its potential, so a high-scoring Barolo or Bordeaux can taste tight and tannic if you open it too soon. Our wine vintage guide explains aging windows.
The tasting note is where the useful detail lives. Look for words that describe style, not just quality. Body words like light, medium, and full tell you weight. See wine body explained. Structure words matter: “firm” or “grippy” means strong tannins, while “crisp,” “bright,” or “zesty” means high acidity. Flavor words tell you fruit and oak. “Vanilla,” “toast,” and “mocha” suggest new oak; “citrus,” “green apple,” and “mineral” suggest a fresh, unoaked style. Phrases like “drink now” or “best from a certain year onward” tell you when to open it. Learning these terms lets you translate any review into “will I like this?” Our wine terminology glossary and guide to writing wine tasting notes will build your vocabulary quickly.
Ratings are most valuable as a tiebreaker, not a shopping list. Find scores in value regions. An 89- or 90-point wine from Portugal, Spain, Chile, or southern France often costs far less than a similarly rated bottle from Napa or Bordeaux, because prices follow fame more than scores. Browse our best red wines under $20 for regions where this happens. Do not chase the last few points. The price jump from 92 to 96 can be huge, while the difference in pleasure is often small. Check the vintage. A shelf tag may show a score for a different year than the bottle in front of you. Most importantly, trust your own palate. Keep notes on what you enjoy, and over time you will learn which critics, apps, or shop staff share your taste.
| 100-Point Score | Typical Meaning | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| 95 to 100 | Exceptional or classic | Rare, complex, often age-worthy and expensive |
| 90 to 94 | Outstanding | Notable depth and character; great for special meals |
| 85 to 89 | Very good | Well made and enjoyable; often the best value |
| 80 to 84 | Good | Pleasant, simple, everyday drinking |
| Below 80 | Average or flawed | Rarely published or promoted |
Style words like oaky, crisp, or tannic matter more than the number.
Make sure the score on the shelf tag matches the bottle's year.
Wines in this range from value regions are often the best buys.
Learn Your Taste
Answer a few simple questions and discover styles that fit your palate.
Take the Wine QuizOn the 100-point scale, 90 or above is considered outstanding and 85 to 89 very good. Most wines on store shelves with published scores fall between 85 and 93. A 90-point wine is a reliable sign of quality.
A 90-point wine is rated outstanding by the critic who scored it, meaning it shows good depth, balance, and character. It does not guarantee you will like it, so check the tasting note for style.
They are a useful guide to quality, but they reflect one person's palate on one day. Different critics often disagree. Ratings are most reliable when you know a reviewer's taste is similar to yours.
App ratings average opinions from many everyday drinkers. They are good at identifying crowd-pleasing wines but tend to favor smooth, fruity styles. Combine them with tasting notes and your own experience.
A medal means a panel of judges liked the wine in that competition. Standards vary widely: some competitions are rigorous, others award many medals. Treat a medal as a small positive sign, not proof of quality.
Use ratings as one tool, not the only one. Start with a style and region you enjoy, then use scores as a tiebreaker. Wines rated 88 to 91 from value regions often offer the best quality for the price.
