20-Point Rating Scale:
0-5 : Undrinkable to Poor and Objectionable
6-8 : Deficient
9-11 : Commercially Acceptable and Average
12-14 : Good
15-17 : Excellent
18-20 : Extraordinary
5-Point Rating Scale:
1 : Poor
2 : Average
3 : Good
4 : Excellent
5 : Extraordinary
Key Components Of A Tasting:
Eye, What does it look like? Color, brilliance and clarity.
Nose, What does it smell like? Aromas particular to grape varieties and bouquet particular to terroir and vinification.
Palate, How does it taste? Attack/mid-palate/finish. Components of fruit, acidity, sugar, body, tannins, texture, and form.
What To Look For In A Wine:
An “extraordinary” wine will fully express all four characteristics . . .
Balance. When the components of a wine’s flavors (acidity, sweetness, tannins, etc.) are so impeccably interwoven that no one component dominates.
Complexity. A force that pulls you into a wine and impels you to repeatedly return for another smell or sip because each time you do, you find something new.
Finish & Expressiveness. The longer and more complex the better. When a wine’s flavors are well-defined and clearly projected long after swallowing or spitting. Elements of surprise or subtlety that linger and keep you coming back.
Do you like the wine? A good wine is a wine that YOU like, not a wine that Robert Parker scores 95 points.
