Level & label

Bottles Bordeaux Size

The terms below are indicative of the fill levels:

NECK
All levels above bn. Good level for wines of all ages
BN
Base neck. Good level for wines of all ages
VTS
Very top shoulder. Good level for wines >20 years old
TS
Top shoulder . Good level for wines >30 years old
US
Upper shoulder. Good level for wines > 40 years old
MID
Mid shoulder. Level for aged wines > 50 years old. Quality cannot be guaranteed
LOW
Low shoulder. Level for very aged wines >70 years old. Quality cannot be guaranteed

Bottles Bourgogne Size

For Burgundies and wines in comparable bottles, such as wines from Germany and Alsace, the filling level is indicated in centimeters. Measured from the bottom of the cork to the level of the wine. Levels less than 2 centimeters are not described.

Label - Level - Review

GL
Good Label
VSSL
Very slightly stained label
SL
Stained label
VSDL
Very slightly damaged label
SDL
Slightly damaged label
DL
Damaged label
VDL
Very damaged label

Abbreviations

OC
Original Carton
OWC
Original Wooden Case
The number after OC or OWC refers to the number of bottles.
NV
No Vintage

The Wine Rating System

96-100 points

Extraordinary - This is an extraordinary wine, deep and complex, that has all the attributes expected in a classic wine of its variety. Wines with this rating are worth finding and investing money in them. And, logically, try them out.

91-95 points

Outstanding - This is an outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. They are fantastic wines to drink in the short term.

81-90 points

Barely above average to very good - This wine is above average, which has very good attributes of finesse and flavor.

71-80 points

Average - The wine qualified with this score has an average wine, with little distinction, except for its good preparation. In essence it is an innocuous wine.

< 71 points

Below average - Below this score are not worthy of mention.

Review

Robert Parker

A U.S. wine critic. His wine ratings on a 100-point scale and his newsletter The Wine Advocate are influential in American wine buying.

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Neal Martin

A wine critic and author based in the UK. He reviews the wines of Bordeaux, Burgundy, South Africa, and New Zealand for Vinous.

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Wine Spectator

A lifestyle magazine that focuses on wine and wine culture, and gives out ratings to certain types of wine. Rates wine on a 100-point scale.

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James Suckling

Suckling is internationally regarded as one of the world’s most influential wine critics, and one of the most experienced critics of vintage cigars.

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Decanter

A wine and wine-lifestyle media brand. It includes a print and digital magazine, wine tasting events, a news website and a subscription website

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Wine Enthusiast

The magazine’s website hosts a database of wine reviews, interviews food and wine pairings, beer and spirits news, and other topics.

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Vinous

Vinous is a wine website founded by Antonio Galloni. It has subscribers in 75 countries around the world to create a wine lovers’ community.

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Antonio Galloni

An American wine critic and founder of Vinous for which he is also the lead critic covering the wines of Bordeaux, California, Italy, and Champagne.

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Stephen Tanzer

Tanzer has particular expertise on the wines of Bordeaux, as well as other prominent wine regions, including Burgundy, California and South Africa.

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Jeannie Cho Lee

A Hong Kong-based, Korean-American wine critic, author, journalist, consultant, wine educator and Master of Wine.

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Jean-Marc Quarin

A wine educator and critic from the south of France. He studied oenology and went on to study with some of the most respected Bordeaux winemakers.

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Tim Atkin

A British Master of Wine, and a wine journalist and commentator. He is also a judge of several international wine competitions

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