Wine critics are the benchmark for what is considered a great wine and therefore worthy of investment. A number of leading critics are the trendsetters in the wine world, but only one in particular is known as, ‘the million dollar nose’.
Robert Parker Jr is vastly considered the world authority on wine. Now, highly respected his reputation is largely unchallenged. At the age of 53 Robert Parker was awarded the Grand Prix of the International Academy of Gastronomy, regarded as the food and drink equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
His 100-point scoring model and uniquely styled tasting notes in his publication The Wine Advocate are without doubt the most widely used by firms and collectors worldwide. The price surge for the 2009 vintage is the most recent example of Parker’s influence on the market. Here’s a breakdown of what the points mean:
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 calibre 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 flavour as well as character with no noticeable flaws.
60 – 69: A below average wine containing noticeable deficiencies, such as excessive acidity and/or tannin, an absence of flavour, or possibly dirty aromas or flavours.
50 – 59: A wine deemed to be unacceptable.
