
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.
- Wine Spectator23
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate22
- James Suckling13
- Wine Enthusiast13
- Wine & Spirits7
- Wilfred Wong of Wine.com5
- Jeb Dunnuck1
- Vinous1
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Yalumba The Octavius Old Vine Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier lieu dit Malakoff Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Victoria, Australia
- JD
- RP
- WE
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Cote Rotie 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Cote Rotie, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Cayuse Cailloux Syrah 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Kalleske Moppa Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- WW
- RP
- WS
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Vincent Paris Cornas La Geynale 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Cornas, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Meal 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Kalleske Greenock Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- WW
- WS
- RP
- W&S
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Cayuse En Cerise Syrah 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WS
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Domaine Clusel-Roch Cote-Rotie Classique 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Cote Rotie, Rhone, France
- RP
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M. Chapoutier Cote-Rotie La Mordoree 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Cote Rotie, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Elderton Command Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- JS
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Yalumba Steeple Vineyard Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- RP
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Amavi Syrah 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JS
- RP
- W&S
- WE
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Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- WE
- RP
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Cayuse En Chamberlin Syrah 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WS
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M. Chapoutier Ermitage Les Greffieux 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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M. Chapoutier Saint-Joseph Les Granits Rouge 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Saint-Joseph, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Bila-Haut by Michel Chapoutier v.i.t. Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Roussillon, South of France, France
- RP
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Horsepower Vineyards The Tribe Vineyard Syrah 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- JS
- WS