Decanter team at Bordeaux en primeur
Members of the Decanter team taste Bordeaux en primeur wines, including Jane Anson (right), John Stimpfig (bottom right), Sarah Kemp (left) and Steven Spurrier (top left).
(Image credit: Decanter / Chris Mercer)

See the chart below to understand how to convert Decanter wine scores to and from the 100-point-scale, whether it's an older tasting note using the 20-point system, a medal winner in the Decanter World Wine Awards or an 'outstanding' wine in a Decanter panel tasting.

How to convert Decanter wine scores and ratings to and from the 100 point scale:

The first column in the chart below represents ratings given during Decanter panel tastings, according to the wine’s score. For example, a wine must score at least 95 points to be considered ‘outstanding’, and at least 98 points to be called ‘exceptional’.

The third column, entitled ‘medals’, refers to the score a wine needs to achieve at the Decanter World Wine Awards and the Decanter Asia Wine Awards in order to gain a commended, bronze, silver or gold medal.

Some gold medal winners will go on to achieve platinum medals, or ‘best in class’ awards, when pitted against their gold medal winning peers in a particular category – such as red Bordeaux blend.

Future wine legends: Decanter 100-point wines

The Decanter ratings conversion chart:

Decanter wine scores chart

(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

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Chris Mercer
Chris Mercer

Chris Mercer is a Bristol-based freelance editor and journalist who spent nearly four years as digital editor of Decanter.com, having previously been Decanter’s news editor across online and print.

He has written about, and reported on, the wine and food sectors for more than 10 years for both consumer and trade media.

Chris first became interested in the wine world while living in Languedoc-Roussillon after completing a journalism Masters in the UK. These days, his love of wine commonly tests his budgeting skills.

Beyond wine, Chris also has an MSc in food policy and has a particular interest in sustainability issues. He has also been a food judge at the UK’s Great Taste Awards.