In a recent issue of SOMMselections, respected Sommelier and SOMMselections Editor Lisa Minucci wrote, “As we were pulling together our brilliant team of SOMMeliers, we realized that a multitude of voices, opinions and palates would only enhance the ability of our readers and collectors to choose wines for both the table and cellar. There is no one, correct opinion. Our success in offering guidance and advice to wine enthusiasts is derived through the multiple palates of our knowledgeable team—the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

This philosophy represents the cornerstone of SOMMselections’ wine reviews. Multiple SOMMeliers taste and rate each wine and then submit their reviews. From these multiple reviews, a composite review is compiled, called a SOMMscore. The SOMMscores for each wine represent the average score from multiple reviews provided by our SOMMeliers. In the interest of maintaining integrity and quality, only wines with an average score of 90 points or greater are published.

Our SOMMeliers’ scores are 100 percent independent and unbiased. While our SOMMs are the most important members of the SOMMselections team, they have no vested interest in Vintrust.

Each wine review contains five components:

The information about the wine: vintage, producer, varietal, name and region.

The five categories that comprise the character of the wine: aroma, flavor, structure, length and balance. The first four categories are rated with a maximum score of 15 points each. The fifth category, balance, can earn a maximum score of 40 points.

The price of the wine is based on the estimated market value at the time of publication.

The SOMMeliers’ suggested drink dates. This provides invaluable information on when the wine will reach its peak, how long it can be cellared for and how soon it can be enjoyed.

Tasting notes. These notes provide a commentary about the wine and its origin. In the tasting notes, you will find both the SOMMeliers’ interpretation of the wine itself, as well as insightful, sometimes clever, comments on lesser-known facts about the winemaker, vintner or the wine’s origin.

If you are interested in obtaining wine that is SOMMscored in a particular issue of SOMMselections, look for the Vintrust logo accompanying the review. The presence of the logo indicates that Vintrust has that particular wine in stock at the time of publication (while supplies last). Click here to see a list of available wines from the most recent issue.

Although more than 150 wines are reviewed in each issue, Vintrust does not represent that all wines reviewed are available for purchase. We strive to provide SOMMselections’ readers with a wide array of wine reviews, including rare and limited-productions wines that are not readily available, if at all. We believe that those interested in wine will appreciate the scope of our wine reviews.

Find and Buy SOMMscored wines from the most recent issue.