WINE RATINGS

THE LIQUID COLLECTION · 6 MIN READ · UPDATED 16 OCTOBER 2026

✓ 90+ POINTS every Top 100 wine    ✓ BLIND TASTED by senior editors    ✓ 10,200+ WINES tasted in 2025

Every year, Wine Spectator's senior editors select the 100 most exciting wines from more than 10,000 tastings. The Top 100 is one of the most watched lists in the wine world, but for buyers in Singapore it raises a practical question: what does it actually tell you, and how should you use it when you shop? This guide explains how the list is built, how to read the 100-point scale, and how to use ratings wisely.

What is the Wine Spectator Top 100?

Since 1988, Wine Spectator editors have chosen the 100 most exciting wines of each year. The 2025 list honours wineries, regions and vintages from around the world. Its top ten spanned Bordeaux, California Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir, Chile, Barbaresco, Chianti Classico and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

How wines make the list

How the wines are tasted

All wines are tasted blind in Wine Spectator's New York and Napa Valley offices. Tasters know only the variety and/or region, not the producer or price. In 2025, the magazine tasted more than 10,200 newly released wines, and more than 5,500 scored 90 points or higher.

How to read the 100-point scale

Every reviewed wine also comes with tasting notes and a recommended drinking window, which tells you whether a wine is ready now or needs time in the cellar.

How to use ratings when you shop in Singapore

1. Use the score as a shortlist, not a verdict

A high score means the wine was well made and expressive. It does not guarantee you will enjoy it. Build a shortlist, then choose based on your taste and your meal.

2. Check the drinking window

Buy wines that are ready to drink for immediate enjoyment. For long-window wines, buy only if you can store them properly. Singapore's heat makes long cellaring risky without a wine cooler.

3. Look for value

Some of the best buys are 88 to 92 point wines priced well below the premium end. Compare score against price per bottle, not score alone.

4. Expect availability differences

Because the list is built around US availability, some featured wines may not be on shelves in Singapore, and prices will differ after import duties and retail margins. Look for the same producer or a similar wine from a local retailer.

5. Use the list to explore styles

If you enjoy a Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the list, look for other Southern Rhône blends in your price range.

Shop wines like the ones in this guide

The 2025 Top 100 ranged from Bordeaux and Châteauneuf-du-Pape to Tuscan Sangiovese, Pinot Noir and Chile. These bottles from our shelves cover the same styles. Each one links to its product page, where you can check the current price and stock.

FRANCE · RED · SAINT-JULIEN, BORDEAUX Château Léoville Poyferré SGD 198.00 A Second Growth Saint-Julien: Cabernet-led, with dark fruit and the structure to age. VIEW BOTTLE →	FRANCE · RED · CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE Raymond Usseglio Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Impériale SGD 109.00 A Grenache-led Southern Rhône blend with ripe red fruit and warm spice. VIEW BOTTLE →
ITALY · RED · BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO Argiano Brunello di Montalcino SGD 90.00 Tuscan Sangiovese, the grape behind Chianti Classico, in its fullest form. VIEW BOTTLE →	NEW ZEALAND · RED · MARLBOROUGH Greywacke Pinot Noir SGD 71.00 A silky Pinot Noir with cherry fruit, and a good-value alternative to Burgundy. VIEW BOTTLE →
CHILE · RED · CENTRAL VALLEY Noblesse Cabernet Sauvignon SGD 29.00 An easy everyday Chilean Cabernet for when value matters more than prestige. VIEW BOTTLE →	FRANCE · WHITE · MEURSAULT Louis Latour Meursault Blanc SGD 128.00 A benchmark white Burgundy: rich Chardonnay with butter, citrus and toasted-nut depth. VIEW BOTTLE →
FRANCE · WHITE · CHABLIS PREMIER CRU Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis 1er Cru SGD 92.00 A Premier Cru Chablis: mineral, precise and an easy match for seafood. VIEW BOTTLE →	FRANCE · ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE · REIMS Ruinart Rosé Champagne SGD 142.00 Red-berry fruit and fine bubbles from one of the oldest Champagne houses. VIEW BOTTLE →

Common questions

Is a Top 100 wine always worth buying?

Not always. It is worth buying if the style suits you, the price is right, and it is available and stored well.

What is a good score for everyday drinking?

Many buyers find the 87 to 91 point range offers the best balance of quality and price for regular meals.

Do ratings matter for white wines and rosés?

Yes. Wine Spectator reviews all styles. Fresh whites and rosés are usually best within a year or two of vintage, so the drinking window matters even more for them.

Source: Wine Spectator's published Top 100 information at top100.winespectator.com. Scores, rankings and availability can change; verify current details with the publisher and your retailer before buying.