Top-Rated Wines... But Where's the Joy?

Not long ago, I bought a wine that was rated 98 points. It ticked every technical box - it was balanced, structured, and complex - but I couldn’t help feeling a bit underwhelmed. This experience made me stop and think.

We talk a lot about wine ratings in this industry.

But are we then overlooking the simple pleasure of enjoying a wine?

The Role of Ratings in the Wine World

In the wine industry, ratings have long been an important reference point. Renowned critics like Tim Atkin MW, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, and Jancis Robinson offer ratings based on technical criteria: structure, balance, typicity, ageing potential. These scores provide clarity and benchmarks in the vast, complex world of wine.

But within that analytical approach, something deeply human often gets left behind: the enjoyment factor.

Hand cutting a bunch of red grapes at harvest time.

Hand stirring (with a pole) red grape must inside a wooden barrel

A row of amphorae, used to age wine. Photo by Sue Winston / Unsplash

Overlooking Pleasure in the Pursuit of Perfection

For those of us working professionally in wine - sommeliers, winemakers, communicators, importers, distributors - there’s pressure to develop deep technical knowledge. And rightly so. We want to understand grape varieties, terroir, vinification, sensory analysis, and ageing techniques.

But in chasing complexity and precision, we risk disconnecting from the simple pleasure that made us fall in love with wine in the first place: the joy of a well-poured glass shared at the right moment.

I often get caught up dissecting a wine - swirling, sniffing, and talking structure - until Lara leans over and says, “Can we just enjoy it, please?” It’s a much needed reminder.

Does a High Rating Guarantee Enjoyment?

Wines that score 95, 98, or even 100 points are, by definition, technically exceptional. But that doesn’t always translate to pleasure. As Tim Atkin has often pointed out - ‘a wine can be technically flawless but fail to move you emotionally.’

I recently tried a reasonably priced 2023 white wine whose 2020 vintage had earned 98 points. It was no easy drinker - sharp, linear, slightly reductive and pungently sulphuric. While it opened up beautifully with time in the glass, I’m not convinced I’d buy it again.

Enjoyment is very subjective. For instance - a more modest, approachable wine can deliver far greater satisfaction, depending on the moment, the mood, and the person drinking it.

Does a Higher Price Mean More Pleasure?

Another misconception we often encounter is the belief that price equals pleasure. A high-end wine may be beautifully made, but that doesn’t guarantee a more enjoyable experience.

Context, company, and timing can matter far more than a price tag.

At Wine Industry Mallorca, we believe wine isn’t just about what’s in the glass -  it’s about the story, where it takes you, and how it makes you feel.

We also find it frustrating when a wine is dismissed simply because it doesn’t come with a hefty price tag or a prestigious name. There are so many exceptional mid-priced wines that go unnoticed as a result.

Wine Should Be an Experience

Wine ratings are incredibly useful, and it's always rewarding when one of our partner wineries receives well-deserved recognition. What makes it even more special is that many of the producers we champion aren’t defined by lofty price tags or prestigious labels - just pure passion and uncompromising quality in every bottle.

Ratings can guide choices, celebrate excellence, and acknowledge the craftsmanship behind the wine. But they should never be the sole measure of its worth.

Wine is culture. It’s a story told through taste. A memory captured in a glass. Above all, it’s meant to be experienced - and enjoyed.

Rediscovering the Joy

... And I include myself in this.

Everyone deserves to discover and enjoy wine in their own way – to trust their senses, to enjoy without guilt, to explore without bias, and to savour without needing a reason.

Because in the end, a wine that makes you smile, or gives you that warm glow from the first sip, is worth all the points in the world.

So next time you pour a glass, ask yourself: does it bring you joy?