Year

WOW Rating

%

2004

Riesling had a mixed harvest but most other wines are good.

Drink or Hold

87

2003

The soaring temperatures resulted in record sugar levels giving outstanding sweet wines. Producers found the lack of acidity a problem with medium-dry and dry wines.

Drink or Hold

88

2002

An excellent vintage, inevitably the best results came from single estates with patience. The rewards were late harvest wine right up to Trockenbeerenauslese level. Ideal for aging.

Drink or Hold

91

2001

Outstanding, finest vintage in 30 years

Drink or Hold

98

2000

Rain-affected, inconsistent, not for keeping

Drink

82

1999

Well-ripened grapes, well-balanced wines

Drink

90

1998

Stylish, many middleweight wines, attractive and fresh

Drink

89

1997

Fine vintage, complex flavors, keeping will reward

Drink or Hold

90

1996

Attractive, fragrant wines but not for long aging

Drink

87

1995

Another classic vintage, superb Bernkasteler Doktor wines

Drink

95

1994

Well-made wines that are ready for drinking

Drink

86

1993

Very fine year, some outstanding examples*

Drink

94

1992

Light but quaffable wines, now well past their best, too old.

Avoid

83

1991

Disappointing, thin wines

Avoid

79

1990

Arguably the finest, long-lasting vintage for 2 decades

Drink or Hold

97

1989

Big wines, abundant in fruit and character

Drink

95

1988

Classic vintage, beautifully balanced wines

Drink

93