PAR – more transparency and flexibility in the evaluation of wines
All common 100-point schemes begin their ranking somewhere around 70 points and all but a few exceptions top off at 96 to 97 points. Because of this practice, 90% of the evaluated wines will be judged on a range of 25 points (70-95), which constitutes a very narrow approach.
The PAR 100-Point System for the evaluation of wine begins ranking at 55 points. Below 50 points, wines are to be considered as flawed. A score up to 55 points indicates evident but acceptable deficiencies. 56 points and above is the beginning of the unflawed range and therefore allows for an investigative evaluation and delineation of quality.
The tasters now a tool have at their disposal for increased transparency in their ranking. Because PAR evaluates and differentiates up to 24 individual parameters, the scoring of wine retains a clarity, visibility and objectivity unrivaled by previous schemes.
56-64 Acceptable
Without true flaws but still rather non-expressive; aphasic; mostly neutral, simple, thin and shallow; character traits absent or disguised; barely meets expectation threshold
65-74 Faultless
No flaws; still average; fair; ranking mainly dominated by expectation; clean and uncomplicated wines for any occasion; solid.
75-82 Good - to be recommended
Pure, reverberating clarity, clean and dense wines; expresses the typical attributes of its kind, readily recognizable character, conspicuous style; to be recommended in any circumstance; some features clearly exceed expectation threshold and readily approach the upper one third
83-89 Very Good
Magnificent; impeccable; truly remarkable; sensorically tangible; pronounced harmony and pleasant mosaic of components; wines that will readily attract the attention of any experienced degustor.
90-94 Outstanding
First-class wines; international top level; among the most expressive of their kind; peculiar, voluminous concentration of senso-active ingredients; absolutely purest reverberation of color, and striking character traits must be a given
95-99 Excellent
World-class wines that provide a lasting and unforgettably sensual experience; a specified and optimal crop combined with the most flawless craftsmanship and characteristic style; a regaling composition of origin and type. These wines are able to utterly entice even the most extravagant of wine lovers;
100 Beyond measure
Out of this world; wines of which nobody could possibly conceive any improvement whatsoever; wines that go beyond the wildest of imaginations.
© Martin Darting, Wachenheim