
Syrah / Shiraz Wine
Learn about Syrah — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah, also known as Shiraz, accounts for a good deal of some of the most intense, powerful and age-worthy reds in the world. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah still achieves some of its maximum potential here, especially from Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie.
Syrah and Shiraz wine also plays an important component in the canonical Southern Rhône blends based on Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, adding color, depth, complexity and structure to the mix. Today these blends have become well-appreciated from key appellations of the New World, namely Australia, California and increasingly, with praise, from Washington.
Due to the success of Australian “Shiraz,” winemakers throughout the world have adopted this synonym for Syrah when they have produced a plush and fruit forward wine made in the Australian style.
Tasting Notes for Syrah / Shiraz
Syrah/Shiraz is a dry, red wine that typically shows aromas and flavors of purple fruits, fragrant violets, baking spice and even bacon, smoke or black olive. In Australia, where it goes under the name Shiraz, it produces deep, dark, intense and often, jammy reds. While Northern Rhône examples are typically less fruity and more earthy, California appears increasingly capable of either style.
Perfect Food Pairings for Syrah / Shiraz
Flavorful Moroccan-spiced lamb, grilled meats, spareribs and hard, aged cheeses are perfect with Syrah. Blue cheeses are perfect with a dense and fruit-driven Australian Shiraz.
Sommelier Secrets for Syrah / Shiraz
Syrah once played a role as a blending partner to the austere Cabernet in Bordeaux as it added some body and texture. Now, Australians are fond of tempering their fruit-forward Shiraz by blending with Cabernet Sauvignon, which adds depth and structure.
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Torbreck RunRig 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Penfolds Kalimna Bin 28 Shiraz 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- RP
- WS
- WW
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Yalumba Samuel's Collection Shiraz 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- WE
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Flam Reserve Syrah (OK Kosher) 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Israel
- RP
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Layer Cake Shiraz 2019Syrah/Shiraz from South Australia, Australia
- WW
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Copain Les Voisins Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Yorkville Highlands, Mendocino, California
- W&S
- RP
- WE
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Cambria Tepusquet Vineyard Syrah 2015Syrah/Shiraz from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- JD
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Bila-Haut by Michel Chapoutier r.i. Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2015Syrah/Shiraz from Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Roussillon, South of France, France
- RP
- WS
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d'Arenberg The Stump Jump Shiraz 2017Syrah/Shiraz from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- WE
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Torbreck Woodcutters Shiraz 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- WE
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Les Alexandrins Syrah 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Vin de France, France
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Tenet The Pundit Syrah 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Montes Folly Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile
- JS
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Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2015Syrah/Shiraz from Eden Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- D
- WE
- RP
- WW
- W&S
- WS
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Wakefield Estate Clare Valley Shiraz 2015Syrah/Shiraz from Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia
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Stolpman Vineyards Crunchy Roastie 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Ballard Canyon, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
- WW
- WE
- RP
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K Vintners The Deal Sundance Vineyard Syrah 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JS
- JD
- RP
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Jean-Louis Chave Selection Crozes-Hermitage Silene 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
- JD
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Jaboulet Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- JS
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K Vintners Cattle King Syrah 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JD
- RP
- JS
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Berton Vineyards Metal Label The Black Shiraz 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Limestone Coast, South Australia, Australia
- JS
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Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia
- RP
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Stolpman Vineyards Crunchy Roastie 2020Syrah/Shiraz from Ballard Canyon, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
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Yalumba Y Series Shiraz and Viognier 2019Syrah/Shiraz from South Australia, Australia
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Hope The Ripper Shiraz 2015Syrah/Shiraz from Western Australia, Australia
- RP
- W&S