I searched the Wine Spectaor 2008 ratings database and plotted the
distribution for wines in the 80-100 point range. See a small image
of the plot attached.

Please not the kink in the distribution at the 89-90 break. Wondering
how you interpret it.

I had see this in someone else's plot for 12002, but the kink was not
as noticeable.

My conjecture is that the tasters first categorize the wine by tier
and then assign a number with the tier.

Your thoughts please.