Decoding the cherry nose

Reading and decoding wine reviews can be tricky or just downright amusing. Take some of these for example:

• This is a sultry, sensual wine with a huge palate presence of smoked meat and spice. Velvety red fruits literally spill from its sides.
• ...thick with flavour yet chocked with interest, the plummy, meaty, peppery drive aided by gorgeous flourishes of tar, sap, violets and reduced pan juices. The tannin make-up is exemplary, as is the cedary, suave, quality oak. Is it bitter on the finish? Yes, but in a sophisticated way.

This audio segment from NPR's Weekend Edition tackles this topic:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4604068

http://www.stratsplace.com/hawkins/winetaste.html has what looks like a comprehensive glossary of wine-tasting terminology. Now to write a review that would put Parker to shame! :)