Parker has an unusual scoring system in that he indicates an approximate score on his 100 point scale to begin with and then fixes the mark after tasting the wines in bottle. Thus 18 wines that he obviously considers exceptional have received scores of 98-100.

But this is not all, for there some chateaux that have impressed him even more.

These are wines with "the finest potential of all the offerings I had ever tasted from that estate in nearly 32 years of barrel tasting samples in Bordeaux", he writes, rating them with an asterisk on top of their 100 points!

What this amounts to is that wine prices will be almost as high as in 2005 and the wines will inevitably be in short supply. Fewer wines will be sold en-primeur with the châteaux releasing more wine later when the prices have risen.

What's more, considering the Asian appetite for trophy wines, these wines will not remain in the market very long. So if you are interested in acquiring high-end Bordeaux 2009, don't dilly dally!

As for myself, considering this vintage is so outstanding, I am quite happy to acquire lesser classified growths and even petite châteaux for their sheer drinking pleasure.

(Adam Lechmere of Decanter has more to report on the Atlantic taste divide.)