The Reason for Ratings

Wine ratings provide a valuable reference point for consumers, particularly when someone is looking for guidance when selecting a new wine or winery. Robert Parker popularized wine ratings in the 1980s, creating a 100-point system that is widely considered the modern standard. Scores are based on a wine’s quality attributes, such as balance, length, complexity, and intensity. With outstanding wines scoring between 96-100 points, exceptional wines scoring between 90-95, and good/very good wines scoring between 85-89. We have been fortunate to submit our wine to multiple raters and publications over the years, averaging scores of over 94 points.

Our newest scores from the 2021 vintage come from Lisa Perrotti-Brown, founder of the Wine Independent. She has spent over 25 years working in the wine industry and became a Master of Wine in 2008 while working for Robert Parker at The Wine Advocate. In 2021, Lisa left the Wine Advocate and founded the Wine Independent, where she covers California and Bordeaux. Lisa and her team are adding a refreshing new look at the wine industry through The Wine Independent.

There is an unpredictable and very personal element to wine ratings: an individual professional on a certain day tastes the wine, and it simply knocks them over. We can’t possibly understand exactly how this happens, but it sure is exciting when it does! In the end, it’s even more exciting to hear from you when one of our wines simply knocks you over. Maybe one of these will make it onto your “top wines of the year” list!