What does a Robert Parker score mean?

Robert Parker, an American lawyer turned wine critic, launched The Wine Advocate in 1978 and single-handedly created the 100-point scoring system that now dominates the wine world. Every major critic since — Wine Spectator, James Suckling, Vinous — has adopted his scale.

Here's how it works: every wine starts at 50 points. Up to 5 points for appearance, 15 for aroma, 20 for flavour and finish, and 10 for ageing potential. In practice, scores cluster between 80 and 100.

The market impact is enormous. Research from the American Association of Wine Economists found that each point above 90 adds 3-7% to a Bordeaux's price. The magic threshold is 90: below that, a wine is 'good'; above, it becomes 'collectible'. A perfect 100 (awarded to roughly 30 Bordeaux in history) can multiply a wine's price by 5-10x.

Parker stepped back from reviewing in 2019, and the scores are now issued by his team of regional specialists. The system's credibility now rests on the institution rather than one palate.

Worth knowing: Parker had a well-documented preference for concentrated, oaky, powerful wines. His scores historically favoured the 'modern Napa/Bordeaux' style over lighter, more mineral-driven wines. For a balanced view, cross-reference multiple critics — Jancis Robinson, Decanter, and regional guides all offer different perspectives.