Chateau Ste. Michelle

Scoring
VISUAL (0-4 points): 4
Fill the glass half-way, hold it up against a white surface in bright light. Is the color clear or hazy? What is the intensity of the color? Look for clarity, brilliance and appropriateness of color.

AROMA (0-6 points): 2
Vigorously swirl the wine around in the glass to release the odors, then close your eyes and smell. Is it pleasant or unappetizing? Can you identify a particular aroma? Berries? Tropical fruit? Leather? Tobacco? Floral? Fresh-mown grass? Is the aroma intense or feeble? Look for complexity and intensity.

TEXTURE (0-4 points): 4
Take a small amount of wine in your mouth and briefly hold it on your tongue. How does the wine feel? Is it soft and creamy? Does it have a refreshing zing around the edges of your tongue? Is it flat and limp? You may notice that red wine feels prickly -- this is the feel of tannins, which are used in these wines to keep them from spoiling. Younger red wines are usually more tannic. Look for a smoothness, a velvety feeling in your mouth.

TASTE (0-10 points): 7
Lightly swirl it around in your mouth so all your tastebuds are exposed, then keep it there for a brief period. Is the taste consistent with the aroma? Is it sweet, acidic, crisp, sour? Is it light or full-bodied? Look for balance and intensity of fruit.

FINISH (0-6 points): 2
Swallow the wine (or use a 'spit' cup). Is there an aftertaste? Can you identify the flavors? Are they the same or slightly different from the mouth taste? Does it linger? How long? Does it make you want another sip?
OVERALL IMPRESSION (Total of points)

TOTAL: 19 x 3.3 = 63
25-30 Excellent -- a great wine
20-24 Outstanding -- superior character
15-19 Good to Very Good -- special qualities
10-14 Average

LIKE or DISLIKE:
Rating
Like - extremely(9) 100
Like - very much(8) 94
Like - moderately(7) 88
Like - a little(6) 82
Neither Like or Dislike(5) 75
Dislike - a little(4) 68
Dislike - moderately(3) 62
Dislike - very much(2) 56
Dislike - extremely(1) 50

Colour: Rich purple
Vicosity: Great legs
Aroma: Fruity - blackberry with vanilla overtones
Acidity: Very well balanced, very smooth and velvety
Taste: Bold, nice steady finish

Scoring
VISUAL (0-4 points): 4
Fill the glass half-way, hold it up against a white surface in bright light. Is the color clear or hazy? What is the intensity of the color? Look for clarity, brilliance and appropriateness of color.

AROMA (0-6 points): 6
Vigorously swirl the wine around in the glass to release the odors, then close your eyes and smell. Is it pleasant or unappetizing? Can you identify a particular aroma? Berries? Tropical fruit? Leather? Tobacco? Floral? Fresh-mown grass? Is the aroma intense or feeble? Look for complexity and intensity.

TEXTURE (0-4 points): 4
Take a small amount of wine in your mouth and briefly hold it on your tongue. How does the wine feel? Is it soft and creamy? Does it have a refreshing zing around the edges of your tongue? Is it flat and limp? You may notice that red wine feels prickly -- this is the feel of tannins, which are used in these wines to keep them from spoiling. Younger red wines are usually more tannic. Look for a smoothness, a velvety feeling in your mouth.

TASTE (0-10 points): 8
Lightly swirl it around in your mouth so all your tastebuds are exposed, then keep it there for a brief period. Is the taste consistent with the aroma? Is it sweet, acidic, crisp, sour? Is it light or full-bodied? Look for balance and intensity of fruit.

FINISH (0-6 points): 6
Swallow the wine (or use a 'spit' cup). Is there an aftertaste? Can you identify the flavors? Are they the same or slightly different from the mouth taste? Does it linger? How long? Does it make you want another sip?
OVERALL IMPRESSION (Total of points)

TOTAL: 28 x 3.3 = 93
25-30 Excellent -- a great wine
20-24 Outstanding -- superior character
15-19 Good to Very Good -- special qualities
10-14 Average

LIKE or DISLIKE: 100
Rating
Like - extremely(9) 100
Like - very much(8) 94
Like - moderately(7) 88
Like - a little(6) 82
Neither Like or Dislike(5) 75
Dislike - a little(4) 68
Dislike - moderately(3) 62
Dislike - very much(2) 56
Dislike - extremely(1) 50

This wine has aromas and flavors of apricotds, pears and apples.

Very good wine, my favorite merlot.

This wine has aromas and flavors of melon, tangerines and apples with ahint of canteloupe.