Fetzer, Valley Oaks Shiraz, California

By the glass. Artificial on the nose with notes of strawberry bubblegum and pears in syrup. Disgusting although some find it as modern style wine. On the palate it is fresh and full of fruit. Overwhelmingly boring. It is as if a wine of Jumilla merged with another cosechero from La Rioja alavesa. Nothing to be remembered. So paradoxically a free oak wine (really?) from the Oak Valley. Funny word game for a winery that you can find in every …

There's pretty much nothing to report with this very poor effort. A nose of over sweet stewed strawberries. Very thin in the mouth, with a total lack of any acidity and tannic structure. Definatly the worst wine i've tasted this year, and if I had to add a drinking window it would read 'never'!

Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter (The Royal Lancaster Hotel, London W2) : Made from a blend of 84% Zinfandel, 14% Petit Syrah and 2% Syrah this wine shows sweet plum fruit and white pepper on the nose. The palate displays sweet berry fruit and vanilla characters. Supple tannins on the finish.

Disappointingly thin nose and palette