Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2025 Features 38 Debuts and Average Score of 93 Points

Wine Spectator has released its Top 100 Wines of 2025, a list that reflects the trends, challenges and achievements in the global wine industry over the past year. The annual ranking, published on November 17, is based on blind tastings conducted by the magazine’s editors, who reviewed more than 10,200 wines throughout 2025. Of those, over 5,500 received scores of 90 points or higher, forming the initial pool for consideration.

The editors evaluated wines for quality, value, availability and what they call the “X-factor”—the excitement and story behind each bottle. This year’s list highlights both established producers and emerging wineries from around the world. It also underscores the resilience of winemakers in a year marked by economic uncertainty and shifting consumer preferences.

Château Giscours Margaux 2022 from Bordeaux took the top spot this year. California’s Aubert Chardonnay Sonoma Coast UV-SL Vineyard 2023 and Ridge Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley 2023 followed closely behind. The list features a strong showing from California’s 2023 vintage, especially with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel. France made a notable comeback after a challenging previous year, buoyed by its successful 2022 vintage. Italian wines also performed well, accounting for about 20 percent of the entries.

The diversity of regions represented is broad. The Top 100 includes wines from classic areas such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Tuscany and Rioja, as well as newer hotspots like Oregon’s Willamette Valley and New Zealand’s Marlborough. Thirty-eight wines made their debut on the list this year, while others have demonstrated consistent excellence across multiple vintages.

Price points vary widely among the selections. Fourteen wines are priced at $100 or more, but there are also 34 bottles available for $30 or less. The average score among the Top 100 is 93 points, with an average price of $58 per bottle.

The selection process also considered availability in the United States market. Wines had to be produced or imported in sufficient quantities to be accessible to American consumers. This approach ensures that the list is not only a showcase of quality but also a practical guide for buyers.

Several producers earned recognition for multiple wines but were limited to one entry each to maintain diversity in the rankings. The list includes both red and white wines, sparkling options such as Champagne and Prosecco, as well as rosé and dessert wines like Tawny Port.

This year’s Top 100 reflects ongoing changes in global wine production and consumption. Climate conditions have influenced vintage quality in many regions. Economic pressures have led some wineries to focus on value-driven offerings without sacrificing quality. At the same time, there is renewed interest in historical estates alongside innovative new projects.

Wine Spectator’s annual list is widely regarded as an influential barometer of trends in wine appreciation and purchasing in the United States. Retailers often see increased demand for featured bottles following publication of the rankings.

The full list is available on Wine Spectator’s website and includes detailed tasting notes for each wine. For collectors and casual drinkers alike, this year’s Top 100 offers a snapshot of what is exciting in wine right now—from classic labels to new discoveries—across a range of prices and styles.