vintage charts

Vintage charts summarize the quality and character of the wines from a particular region in a specific year. They are by necessity general in nature, but can help consumers make good choices when faced with unfamiliar wines. They also help collectors determine when their wines will be drinking well.

Each year, Wine Spectator editors rate new vintages from 30-plus regions around the world and provide updates on older vintages based on tastings and analyses of as many as hundreds of wines from each region.

Each vintage rating consists of three components: The score indicates the general quality of the wines; the description sums up the growing season and the wines' character; the drink recommendation suggests when the wines will be at their best.