Wines That Have Earned Scores Of 99 or 100?

[Jeff B]

I'm curious if any wines have been judged a 99 or 100 by any wine writers/authors?

I know that Richard Juhlin, at the time of his 4000 Champagnes book, gave a champagne a mark of 100.

On my own 100 point scale, which is really just for my own reference, a score of 100 would in reality be unobtainable. If I found the "perfect champagne", I would probably give it a 98.

Jeff

[John S]

Parker has been known to throw around a perfect score or two...

[Dale Williams]

As John said, Parker has given plenty of 100s
http://www.wine-searcher.com/robertparker.lml

WS and Tanzer as well
http://www.wine-searcher.com/critics-9-wine+spectator

http://www.wine-searcher.com/critics-11-stephen+tanzer

Not sure I have heard of a Burghound 100, but pretty sure he has given 99s. Suckling is no longer at WS, but still flings 99s and 100s. Not sure re Claude Kolm (know I;ve seen 98s). Checking CT I see a Gilman 99 for my 89 Constance, and I think he's given 99s to a Mugnier Musigny, some Coche Drury, etc. Decanter recently gave out several 20s. A WE 100 is as meaningful as a case of athletes foot.

But once you start using a scale (whether A-F, 50-100, 20 pt, or whatever) you're going to face some logical challenges. Jeff, so you find the "perfect Champagne", and you give it 98. If a 98 is your hard top, then you are just using a 98 pt scale, and giving a 98 is the exact same thing as a Parker or Suckling giving a 100.

[David M. Bueker]

No fan of the idea of a perfect score, but I think the links are very deceiving regarding Tanzer. I don't believe he has ever given an outright "100" to a young wine. He has given ranges including 100 (e.g. 97-100) for barrel samples, but unless something has changed, did not ultimately award the vaunted 100 to the finished product.

[Jeff B]

As John said, Parker has given plenty of 100s
http://www.wine-searcher.com/robertparker.lml

WS and Tanzer as well
http://www.wine-searcher.com/critics-9-wine+spectator

http://www.wine-searcher.com/critics-11-stephen+tanzer

Not sure I have heard of a Burghound 100, but pretty sure he has given 99s. Suckling is no longer at WS, but still flings 99s and 100s. Not sure re Claude Kolm (know I;ve seen 98s). Checking CT I see a Gilman 99 for my 89 Constance, and I think he's given 99s to a Mugnier Musigny, some Coche Drury, etc. Decanter recently gave out several 20s. A WE 100 is as meaningful as a case of athletes foot.

But once you start using a scale (whether A-F, 50-100, 20 pt, or whatever) you're going to face some logical challenges. Jeff, so you find the "perfect Champagne", and you give it 98. If a 98 is your hard top, then you are just using a 98 pt scale, and giving a 98 is the exact same thing as a Parker or Suckling giving a 100.

Thanks for the links Dale.

I guess my main point with choosing 98 as a top was just that I can't envision ever tasting a "perfect" champagne. I would always leave room on a scale for something potentially higher.

Jeff

[Dale Williams]

David, looks like you were right, those are range scores (except the E. Muller is a 100 if WS is accurate). I had misread as 97-100 barrel, 100 final.

I guess my main point with choosing 98 as a top was just that I can't envision ever tasting a "perfect" champagne. I would always leave room on a scale for something potentially higher.
Jeff

But Jeff, if you choose 98 as your absolute top, then it is the equivalent of 100.
2011 Ripple is the best wine you are ever tasted, and then you give it a 98.
But wait, the 2013 Cold Duck is mindblowing, omg, this is even better than 2011 Ripple! You have 2 options:
Give it another 98 as that is your top score.
Give it a 99 or 100, and a 98 is no longer your top score. If you give it a 99, watch out for the 2015 Andre!
There is always " something potentially higher", and that's reason #412 that wine scales are inherently flawed (not that I don't use them, I just don't claim any logical consistency).

[David M. Bueker]

I'm not sure it really matters if the Egon Muller score is accurate. Nearly $5000. Knock me over with a fuder!