Ranking years: α β γ δ ε ζ

[djewesbury]

Split by jdaw1 from Paul Symington's 2013 Vintage Report.

Context:

A delta (ð) year in prospect.

Also, in AC thread, ‟eth = ð ≠ δ = delta.”


What is a delta year..?

[DRT]

What is a delta year..?

In my office "delta" is often used instead of "gap". Perhaps Tom is suggesting a gap year, as in not on the list of general declarations.

[uncle tom]

What is a delta year

Not as good as an alpha, beta or gamma year, but better than an epsilon on zeta year. In other words, below average, but not by much.

[djewesbury]

What is a delta year

Not as good as an alpha, beta or gamma year, but better than an epsilon on zeta year. In other words, below average, but not by much.

Trying to think of Omega years; 1993..?

[DRT]

Excellent. A new generalised, subjective, indecipherable and largely meaningless rating scale - just what the wine industry needs

[uncle tom]

Not quite new - I've been producing my relative vintage scores for three years now. I will publish the next one at the end of November.

These are my rankings for this year:

Alpha years

1963
1966
1970 +
1977 -
1994
2000
2003 +
2007 -

Beta years

1967
1983 -
1985 -
1987
1991
1992
1997 +
2009 +

Gamma years

1980
1986 -
1995 -
1996
2001
2004 +
2005 +
2008

Delta years

1964 +
1975 +
1978 -
1982
1988 -
1990
1998
2010

Epsilon years

1972 +
1965
1974
1976 +
1984 -
1989 -
1999
2006

Zeta years

1968
1969
1971
1973 -
1979 +
1981
1993 -
2002 +

Methodology

1) Period covered is from the third to the fiftieth year past

2) Each year ratings adjusted to ensure that each category has exactly eight entries

3) In each category, two years are up-ticked as + and two years down-ticked as -

4) Annual adjustment only permits a one tick change to any entry

5) All generally declared years debut as a straight Alpha

6) All partial or split declared years debut as a straight Beta

7) Ratings give weight both to quality and the number of declarations

[DRT]

...and I would like to move this discussion to its own thread. OK?

[jdaw1]

So it is about labelling hexiles with α β γ δ ε ζ. Surprised that ’80 (γ) rated so much worse than ’83 (β”“).

Also interesting that you think that 2013 is ranked level with ’75.

And yes, move it.

[jdaw1]

Above posts split by jdaw1 from Paul Symington's 2013 Vintage Report.

[JB vintage]

What is + and - in the list? Is that indicating that these years are better than the others in each 8-group? For example, would 1970+ be better than 1963?

[DRT]

What is + and - in the list? Is that indicating that these years are better than the others in each 8-group? For example, would 1970+ be better than 1963?

Yes, I think that is what Tom means.

[jdaw1]

Alpha years

1963
1966
1970 +
1977 -
1994
2000
2003 +
2007 -

All generally declared years debut as a straight Alpha

So what happens if there a generally declared year that you believe to be of ≈ 1983 quality. It debuts as α, then falls to α”“, then to β+, then to β, before finally reaching the place you know it had to reach, β”“. That four-year journey seems non-optimal.

[TLW]

Your thoughts on where the 2011 might place?

Seems almost universally declared, and there appear to be some excellent wines.

Would have though that it would debut as an "α".

[uncle tom]

So what happens if there a generally declared year that you believe to be of ≈ 1983 quality. It debuts as α, then falls to α”“, then to β+, then to β, before finally reaching the place you know it had to reach, β”“. That four-year journey seems non-optimal

Agreed. However, as it takes time to be certain about the prospects for a vintage, it seems prudent to give the producers the benefit of the doubt in the first instance.

Your thoughts on where the 2011 might place?

My impressions to date of 2011 are very favourable, with a particularly strong showing by many names that have hitherto been considered to be in the second and third divisions for VP. The tannins, in general, seem very robust, but perhaps not as refined as the 09s. In overall style terms the vintage seems to fall somewhere between 66 and 70, with a broad field of wines that are likely to age well.

Time will tell, but at this point I expect it to remain an alpha vintage after its debut in the list next year, and in time, possibly challenge 2003 for A+ status.