Nebuchadnezzar Wines

Wine Critics Scoring System

Whenever we offer our fine wines, we attempt to include scores and tasting notes from some of the best critics in the world.
However, each has their own scoring system and whilst the most important part is the tasting note, we thought it a good idea to explain how the scoring systems work for the critics we use.
Robert Parker’s 100 point system appears to have taken centre stage for most critics and yet each uses it in their own way. So to shed some light on these scores, we’ve listed below their explanations.

Wine Critics scoring systems and points

Jean-Marc Quarin

Scores between 96 and 100: Exceptional Wines
Here we find the Nec Plus Ultra of all wines. They are powerful, complex, rich, subtle, and refined at the same time, with a very specific and original expressiveness (which constitutes their pedigree) and they are endowed with an immensely long ageing potential (20 to 50 years and more). These rare wines will impress several generations of wine lovers and they establish the reference points in the world heritage of wine tastes.

Scores between 90 and 95: Excellent Wines.
These scores are attributed to wines which are powerful and refined at the same time, offering complexity and a deep taste. They are certainly worth keeping at least 10 years in the bottle so as to enjoy the most voluptuous sensations they can develop. Yet, remembering that only good young wines will result in good old wines, I think you should not feel bad about trying them at an earlier age. On the contrary, if you do so, you will have the joy to discover the variety of charms these wines offer at different ages.

Scores between 87 and 89: Very Good Wines.
Wines in this range have a well defined character due to their nice body, pleasant taste, elegance and good balance. They suit consumers with high standards and can be kept up to 5 or 10 years after their year of birth.

Scores between 84 and 86: Good Wines.
When a wine reaches a score of 84/86, it has risen above the anonymous, mass produced wines. For lesser growths, wines with such scores are very desirable. For a great growth, it means that the wine is not at its best, which can be due to natural causes (weak or medium vintages) and/or to human factors (a certain lack of care in the work, whether in the vineyards or in the winery).

Scores between 70 and 83.
Scores given to insignificant wines which mainly leave you with a feeling of dissatisfaction.

Scores lower than 70.
These scores indicate wines with oenological deficiencies and/or distinctly unpleasant wines.

Robert Parker

Scores between 96 and100: Extraordinary Wines
An extraordinary wine of profound and complex character displaying all the attributes expected of a classic wine of its variety. Wines of this calibre are worth a special effort to find, purchase, and consume.

Scores between 90 and 95: Outstanding Wines
An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines.

Scores between 80 and 89: Barely above average to very good wines
A barely above average to very good wine displaying various degrees of finesse and flavour as well as character with no noticeable flaws.

Scores between 70 and 79: Average Wines
An average wine with little distinction except that it is a soundly made. In essence, a straightforward, innocuous wine.

Scores between 60 and 69: Below Average
A below average wine containing noticeable deficiencies, such as excessive acidity and/or tannin, an absence of flavour, or possibly dirty aromas or flavours.

Scores between 50 and 59: Unacceptable
A wine deemed to be unacceptable.

Wine Spectator

Scores between 95 and 100:
Classic, a great wine.

Scores between 90 and 94:
Outstanding, a wine of superior character and style.

Scores between 80 and 89:
Good to very good, a wine with special qualities.

Scores between 70 and 79:
Average, a drinkable wine that may have minor flaws.

Scores between 60 and 69:
Below average, drinkable but not recommended.

Scores between 50 and 59:
Poor, undrinkable, not recommended.