Expert Reviews
John Livingstone-Learmonth
John is the UK's leading expert on wines from the Rhone Valley. John has published tasting notes on about 26,000 wines which can be viewed on his website by following the link:
Top Rhone wines are expensive and a small investment in John's website subscription would be a very wise move because the best wines are not necessarily the most costly. His ratings range from a potential one star (*) right up to the stratospheric 6*. About 2 wines in every 1000 are awarded 6 stars. We have sixty 5* wines and ten 6* wines in stock, quite a few of which are offered on the website.
We've added some of John's tasting notes to our site. This is how his star system works:
- * (1 star) Adequate, drinkable, not inspiring and for a lesser category like a vin de pays, quite good.
- ** (2 stars) Sound wine, has some character; I would consider buying it if the price were right. Very good if a vin de pays.
- *** (3 stars) Good wine, some outright interest; certainly a wine I would buy without hesitation. Would also have the potential to develop.
- **** (4 stars) Very good wine. Should be balanced, should have correct tannins and ageing potential. From appellationslike Crozes, St-Joseph or St-Péray, a firm recommendation to buy.
- ***** (5 stars) Excellent wine, a wine of pedigree, balance and interest. Should have harmony, excellent length, and plenty of potential. If from a senior appellation like Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie or Cornas, a definite buy.
- ****** (6 stars) Outstanding, the cat's whiskers. Grand Vin -sumptious, majestic, seductive -a wine to make even the veteran drinker stop, pause and reflect. Bank loans permissible to purchase these wines.
Andrew Jefford
Among those we have consulted for the preparation of this site is wine writer Andrew Jefford.To sample some of Andrew's award-winning articles or follow him on his blogging trail (which has more depth and breadth than most).
Andrew's The New France (Mitchell Beazley) was one of the most influential wine books of the last decade, and whisky lovers relish his Peat Smoke and Spirit: A Portrait of Islay and its Whiskies (Headline).Andrew's latest book is an introductory guide for beginners called Andrew Jefford's Wine Course (Ryland, Peters & Small).
Andrew writes and broadcasts about different places on earth, and the foods, drinks and scents connected with them. He has won a number of different distinctions for his work, the latest being 'International Wine Columnist of the Year' at the Louis Roederer Awards 2010 (see 'Filthy Wine Redeemed' on the blog).
Robert Parker
Robert Parker is quite simply the world's most influential wine taster. His opinion carries more weight than the total of allof his fellow tasters.
www.erobertparker.com
Here's how his scoring system works:
Parker's ratings range from:
- 96 - 100 (Extra-ordinary)
- 90 - 95 (Outstanding)
- 80 - 89 (Above Average to Excellent)
- 70 - 79 (Average)
- 60 - 69 (Below Average)
- < 59 (Appalling)
Tom Stevenson
Tom is the world's most respected authority on Champagne and sparkling wine. Author of The World Encyclopedia of Champagne and Sparkling Wine, and the Annual Champagne and Sparkling Wine Guide, Tom has picked up no less than 31 major wine writing awards He is also author of the Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia and the definitive Wines of Alsace reference book. Tom has kindly allowed us to include his notes for the Champagne section.