A Further Comment On My Wine Rating - James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

I take my ratings seriously and take a judicious view of my wine ratings. My ratings reflect a founded and firm and realistic view of wine. Not all wines are the same; many bottles, certain budgets and a desire for good wine keeps us trying to maximize the selection process. I was asked about my wine ratings and I believe them to be judicious; I know some reviewers give rankings that to me are consistently too high. A wine rating can only have integrity if it is utilized with respect and caution. As I have said previously that I think a wine below a 7.0 is not worth drinking. I am a firm believer that anything above is worthy endeavor. I further more believe that wines between 8.5 and 8.9 are noble wines and because if one views this as a B+ though not an “A” is worthwhile. I drink an 8.5 to 8.9 on most of my wine drinking days. I would love to consume 9.5 to 10.0s but I don’t–but these wines are extraordinarily rare and love to share these with my closest friends. A 9.0 to 9.4 are exceptional wines and as the scale goes to 10.0 it should be viewed with a logarithmic sense. A 9.0 to 9.4 can be hard to find and priced to match–although this is not always the case. An 8.5 to 8.9 wine should be considered.

© 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

My Wine Rating System - James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

My Wine Rating System
James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

There are many wine rating systems. And there are some critics who find a rating system in the art and science of wine useless. Since there are many systems it is hard to know whom to follow. I don’t think many individual wine reviewers give anything other than number x to number is… Some wine reviewers might sample extraordinary quantities per day and then register their results. I am drawn and instantly cautioned when I see a wine’s rating. I have never just agreed with a wine reviewer just because he or she might consume a larger quantity. Quantity does not equal quality. Many oenophiles probably pay attention to wine reviewer and seek their judgment and approval. And someone who has discovered wine and is on track to connoisseur might be more dependent on a wine rating. I ask my friends when they are serving a wine why they picked it. Most often someone refers to recommendation from another friend or a wine rating. Rarely do I hear someone say “I had a hunch” or “I like wines from….” So I would infer the power of a rating system is high.
I do know whom I like and feel their palette is eclectic and catholic with a small “c.” So many reviewers have a status of cult and sometimes knowingly and unknowingly alter or persuade or dissuade others to adopt their palette. I am a democrat (small “d”) and believe that while I find many characteristics desirable I do not challenge anyone on their likes. I do think and where I can convince someone on the virtues of a particular varietal but if that wine doesn’t speak to their palette why make someone feel bad for them not understanding or enjoying a certain wine. I do believe there are some things I guide my readers to avoid or to partake. When wine becomes a factor of fear, worry, snobbery I do think that is not why I like wine and why others enjoy it. Wine is for everyone and I do take pride and caution when I review.
My rating system is a 10-scale system punctuated with a decimal. I do like giving a simple system. A wine below and 8.0 is un-acceptable; in a school environment I would find a “c” wine un-acceptable. I do take seriously all 8.0s as good to very good wines. Then 9.0 to 10.0 should be seen as a logarithm; and in this band of rating is excellent to outstanding and a 10.0 should only be noted as not perfect but a wine that is in front of outstanding. I do see some reviewers giving a lot of 95’s and I do think this takes away from a rating system. There are few wines in the 9.0 or 90 benchmark and mis-characterizing wines only defeats the purpose of a rating system. I have looked at some wines that were rated by one reviewer and each time I bought a wine I could not justify the abnormal high score. I am judicious and careful to rate wines as I believe they should be viewed.
Because I do not sample 9 to 10 dozen wines a day I do take time to enjoy each wine. Especially with a red—Pinot Noir not so much—give it some oxygen. If I am tasting a Cabernet Sauvignon I enjoy some food with this wine. I do take a long time to enjoy the nose; I will then proceed to take it in and mix with some oxygen and I let the wine suspend in mouth, if swallowed to quickly the complexity of the wine is lost, and a fair assessment cannot be had. Do try this on your next tasting. Notice that a Shiraz for example will change and more flavors will bud from each taste. Wine tasting is about enjoyment and there is nothing more fun to share this with those you care to spend time with. Remember life is too short to drink bad wine. You will see more ratings to come in my blog!

¡Salud!

© 2006 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez