Excellent wines from Robert Parker

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Robert M. Parker Jr. (born 23 July 1947) is one of the leading and probably best-known US wine critics with international influence on the wine world. His wine ratings, which are based on a 100-point scale, have established themselves worldwide as the so-called "Parker Points". His newsletter "The Wine Advocate", with its particular stylistic preferences and specialised vocabulary, has proven to be the main factor in the American wine market for determining the price of newly released wines. Initially, wines from France were his domain, particularly from the Bordeaux, Burgundy and Côte du Rhône regions. For more than 25 years, he has also rated Italian and American wines and, since 2000, German, Australian and Spanish wines have also received ratings. Robert Parker is probably the most influential wine critic in the world today, and is the first and only person to have been awarded the highest honours by two French presidents and one Italian president.

More information on the Robert Parker rating system:

Robert Parker, who also has a degree in law, has written a total of 14 wine books to date, which have not only made it onto the bestseller list in the United States, but also in their translated editions in France, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Poland, China, Spain, South Korea and Russia. Parker has been described in the Los Angeles Times as a "fierce champion for wine consumers", the "most powerful and influential critic in all fields" and a "bon vivant and passionate wine lover who is largely responsible for the vastly improved quality of wines throughout the Western world, as well as the exponential growth in interest, knowledge and sophistication of those who enjoy drinking wine." One of the most influential and controversial features of Parker's wine criticism is his famous 100-point scale. Parker developed this system to counter what he saw as the confusing and inflated ratings of many other wine writers - particularly wine critics, who he accused of being primarily driven by financial interest. The scale rates wines between 50 and 100 points, based on the colour and appearance of the wine, its aromas and bouquets as well as its taste and finish, thus determining the overall quality level or potential of the wine:

Robert Parker rating system:

Points	Rating
96 to 100 points	Exceptional
90 to 95 points	Outstanding
80 to 89 points	Above average to very good
70 to 79 points	Average
50 to 69 points	Poor to below average
2.5 stars	Good for everyday enjoyment
2 stars	Pleasant to drink
1.5 stars	Simple / palatable
1 star	Simple and unpretentious

In addition, Parker awards a plus sign (+) to those wines that he believes have particular potential with ageing.