It used to be that gymnastics had the magic perfect 10, which was unachievable - just because perfection in a subjective judgment cannot be obtained. And because you always need to leave room for something better. Now we see perfect scores all the time, which just devalues perfection.
So yeah, I think the magic 100 should never be awarded; or if so, it should be for a truly special bottle, that has managed to reach some rarely attainable heights at its peak of maturity. If I were a critic, my high score for newly released or immature wines would be 95, leaving room for the rare examples of unique and superb wines. But I get the pressure on critics to attract attention through the awarding of high scores.
I think the gymnastics example isnāt a great one, where thereās direct competition and very specific technical points. Those scores also use decimals, and I donāt think awarding a 99.731 rather than 100 is much better.
I also think William is both aware of the effect his scores have (heās talked about it) and seems judicious with how often (or how infrequently, depending on your perspective) he gives them out, so I donāt get the sense heās reacting to any kind of pressure here. Obviously he can respond for himself, but I would think he simply found the 2016 Pichon Comtesse to be a great wine in a great vintage.
Iām just expressing an opinion, nothing more lol. It came up because I have thought William has been one of the most interesting and useful reviewers over the past few years, frankly the one I will read regularly. Iām not sure I had ever seen a score so high from William, so it caught my attention. I would hate for him to edge more toward Suckling, who I find completely useless.
more halves. '19 DāIssan
Greg_K
August 14, 2022, 9:17pm
#20103
It used to be that gymnastics had the magic perfect 10, which was unachievable - just because perfection in a subjective judgment cannot be obtained. And because you always need to leave room for something better. Now we see perfect scores all the time, which just devalues perfection.
So yeah, I think the magic 100 should never be awarded; or if so, it should be for a truly special bottle, that has managed to reach some rarely attainable heights at its peak of maturity. If I were a critic, my high score for newly released or immature wines would be 95, leaving room for the rare examples of unique and superb wines. But I get the pressure on critics to attract attention through the awarding of high scores.
I think the gymnastics example isnāt a great one, where thereās direct competition and very specific technical points. Those scores also use decimals, and I donāt think awarding a 99.731 rather than 100 is much better.
I also think William is both aware of the effect his scores have (heās talked about it) and seems judicious with how often (or how infrequently, depending on your perspective) he gives them out, so I donāt get the sense heās reacting to any kind of pressure here. Obviously he can respond for himself, but I would think he simply found the 2016 Pichon Comtesse to be a great wine in a great vintage.
Iām just expressing an opinion, nothing more lol. It came up because I have thought William has been one of the most interesting and useful reviewers over the past few years, frankly the one I will read regularly. Iām not sure I had ever seen a score so high from William
If you mean the opinion regarding 100 points generally, sure. If you mean, about William not giving 100 points, well:https://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3271012#p3271012 https://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3190882#p3190882
Apologies for the digression on the thread.
MChang
August 15, 2022, 1:52am
#20104
16 pichon lalande, bought into the hype
2013 von Schubert Abtsberg SpƤtlese
Terre et Sang Patriarch syrah from Larner vineyard in Santa Barbara. Nice recommendation from Roy Piper, good enough for me.
Kinsman Eades Release and a few bottles of 2014 Champagne La Rogerie Heroine
1 Like
system
August 16, 2022, 7:37pm
#20109
This topic was automatically closed after reaching the maximum limit of 10000 replies. Continue discussion at What is YOUR most recent wine purchase? (Part 2) .
