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High score

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Vintages Feature Story

The journey to find the perfect wine can be fraught with uncertainty. How do you know this bottle will be more suitable for the occasion than another? Most people, average and high-end consumers alike, will put their faith in a wine’s score to determine if it’s worth the price. Level up your wine game with this handy guide to aid you in your quest to find the perfect bottle and check out our curated list of 19 high-scoring wines at a wide range of prices. These great options will make a lovely gift or a perfect pairing for your upcoming special dinner.


Breaking it down

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The most common gauge for scoring wine is the 100-point scale. Popularized by Robert Parker Jr. in the 1980s, this system has been adopted by wine critics across the globe, from the US’s James Suckling to Australia’s Huon Hooke. How does it work, you ask? A wine with a score from 89 to 91 is considered good, 92 to 94 great, 95 to 97 excellent, and 98 to 100 is reserved for only the most stellar bottles. This tool isn’t ubiquitous however, as some publications will opt for a different type of scoring system. British journalist Jancis Robinson, MW, uses a 20-point scale, New Zealand critic Michael Cooper channels the hotel model with a 5-star rating system, and European publications such as Le Guide Hachette des Vins and Gambero Rosso will exclusively rate high-quality wines on a scale of 1-3. The former uses stars, the latter uses wine goblets.


Value propositions


It may seem like higher scores are reserved exclusively for the most coveted of bottles. Though generally true, take this maxim with a grain of salt. Every critic scores differently and every aspect of a wine is considered. Does a wine with a 92 really surpass a wine with an 89? Not exactly. A wine can also have a great score due to its price-to-quality ratio. There are plenty of examples of well-priced wines that have scores in the 90s, such as Domaine de Cause La Lande Cavagnac Malbec 2018 ($20.95; page 15), which earned a 93 from Wine Enthusiast; or Cline Viognier 2021 ($19.95; page 6), which was awarded a 99 from the California State Fair.

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Notably absent

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What if a wine lacks a score? With so many wines in the world, it’s impossible for each of them to be reviewed promptly before they’re put on shelves. If there’s a bottle that hasn’t been reviewed from a popular wine magazine or journalist, rest assured that the LCBO has you covered. Our commitment to quality ensures that every bottle is tested and reviewed pre-release, and our team of experts will typically write their own notes detailing a wine’s characteristics.


A matter of taste


A high score or a sparkly write-up doesn’t always mean the contents of the phthalo-green-tinted bottle will be universally admired. Everyone has unique tastes. And who better to recommend something tailored to your needs than an expert? The LCBO is proud to have talented Product Consultants in nearly every location who are dedicated to ensuring every customer finds what they’re looking for. Our Product Consultants are experts specializing in all aspects of beverage alcohol knowledge and planning for special occasions. Take the hassle out of finding the right product and ask an expert next time you find yourself in an LCBO trying to find the perfect bottle.

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