I think about this stuff too much.....
There seems to be more and more highly rated wines from the various rating parties (WS, RP, us). That seemingly being a fact, is that good, bad or justified?
My impression is that overall, these last years, the "average" wine has become far better than before. This certainly has to do with better educated and trained wine makers, increased competition from abroad (Chile, Australia, etc.) making the US wineries do a better job, better technology and tools and some good, cooperative weather patterns.
Therefore, is a "95 point" wine of Vintage 1999 better than, equal to, or not as good as a "95 point" wine of say, 1991? or any vintage for that matter.
A 2002 Honda is certainly a better vehicle than a 1988 Honda. However, they both almost always vie for Car-of-the-Year.
A "10" in the Olympics used to be virtually unobtainable. Not now.
Are we getting soft? Have we lowered our expectations of perfection?
I have always been a hard grader. Things are always relative. Not every person in the classroom should get, or deserves, an "A" on their essay paper. Some arer better, some are not. That's why they have B's, C's & D's...even F's.
So, fellow Forumites, after we resolve this perplexing question, we can proceed to remedy the situation in the Middle East.
Whew! I feel much better now.
