The very first element to mention in terms of tasting and appreciating wine is the issue of subjectivity.  Clealy, each person has certain taste preferences and therefore, there is no real universal taste. Furthermore, the experience is likely to be considerably different dependent on how, when and where the bottle is opened. For example, the view of a particular wine will likely vary greatly between tasting a thimbleful at an academic tasting where many different wines compared to being at home drinking the same wine with great food and friends. Irrespective of views on any specific wine from a plethora of commentators ultimately, taste is a matter of personal preferences.