The Richard Juhlin 100 point scale - how does it work?

The world of wine assessment is diverse, with various critics and experts employing different rating systems to communicate the nuances of a wine's quality and characteristics. One such influential figure in the realm of Champagne evaluation is Richard Juhlin, a renowned Swedish Champagne expert and author. His 100-point scale has become an esteemed benchmark for evaluating the excellence of Champagne, providing both connoisseurs and enthusiasts with a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the intricacies within each bottle.

The Richard Juhlin 100 point scale - how does it work?

My subjective grading of individual wines builds on serious tastings of more than 15,000+ different champagnes and is the most extensive evaluation of champagne ever carried out. The wines in question receive two grades: one for present quality, and one for the quality of the wine when it is at its best. Guides commonly also give an indication of when the wine will be at its best, but since champagne’s age of maturity is so much a matter of opinion and taste, I have refrained from making any such judgement. If the differences between the two grades (present and potential tasting quality) are very marked, then the wine obviously needs more time in the cellar. Individual consumers can then find out by experience what level of maturity best suits their personal preferences. I have chosen to use the Juhlin scale, which is a 100-point scale, since I find it important to have as broad a scale as possible.

A wine that gives no pleasure at all should, in my opinion, not receive a single point. This is why I start with zero points. It should be added, how–ever, that all champagne, unless it is actually defective, will be of a quality affording some drinking pleasure. 50 points is intended as an average score for non- vintage champagne. The average in this category in my book lies above this mid- point, because I have concentrated on the best known of the 2,454 producers. If I had had the opportunity of tasting all of them, I am convinced that the average would lie closer to the 50-point mark. 100 points is awarded to the perfect champagne. My points system is not divided into different sections for different characteristics, but is only meant to give an overall judgement of the wine’s qualities.

For access to information on all the producers, for tasting notes with comprehensive descriptions, and to follow my daily tasting activities, you can become a member of my club by registering at www.champagneclub.com. I imagine that many of my readers who are accustomed to Robert Parker or Wine Spectator’s interesting but compressed hundred-point scale might reject wines under 80 points and turn up their noses or laugh at a 68-pointer.

Don’t! If such a champagne is non-vintage from the peripheries of the region, the winemaker might have done a very good job and the wine might be very nice if drunk in the right situation. Let me emphasise again that these are subjective assessments: wines are living products which vary a good deal from bottle to bottle. Finally, the most important factor of all is your own taste. My assessments are not universal truths.

Sthlm jan'24

Richard Juhlin

[link to the Tasting Library by Champagne Club by Richard Juhlin]

Recent tasting notes by Champagne Club by Richard Juhlin

1995 Taittinger 'Comtes de Champagne'

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[link to the more tasting notes by Champagne Club by Richard Juhlin]

The Richard Juhlin 100 point scale vs The Wine Advocate 100 point system

Richard Juhlin 100-Point Scale:

Philosophy: Juhlin's approach is holistic, aiming to capture the unique character of each Champagne and provide a narrative that extends beyond mere numerical ratings. The big difference is that Richard Juhlin strives for total justice, which unfortunately can only be achieved by showing the differences widely, and then the mediocre champagnes get a good beating.

The Wine Advocate 100-Point System:

Philosophy: The Wine Advocate's system places a strong emphasis on the hedonistic pleasure derived from drinking the wine, with a focus on its immediate appeal as well as its aging potential.

Conclusion:

While both systems use a 100-point scale and share similarities, the key differences lie in their creators' backgrounds, areas of focus, and the specific criteria used for evaluation. Juhlin's scale is tailored specifically for Champagne, reflecting his expertise in the region, while The Wine Advocate's system has a broader application across various wine types and regions. Ultimately, wine enthusiasts may find value in exploring both systems to gain a comprehensive understanding of their preferred wines.