If you love full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, and want to venture out and try something new - but don’t know where to start....consider a
Syrah or Shiraz! The Syrah grape is a deep, dark, red variety with super thick skin that produces wines that are truly reflective of its complexion; a stunning, dark purple color in the glass with aromatic expressions reminiscent of blackberries, violets, pepper, bacon (yes, bacon), licorice, charcoal and chocolate.
Syrah is grown the wine-world over but its homeland, and indeed the benchmark region for all who produce it, is the northern Rhône region of France. Producers within the famed French villages such as Hermitage, Côte Rôtie, St. Joseph and Cornas create the archetype wines that all passionate growers of Syrah strive to mimic. These wines maintain firm tannins, moderate acidity and many of the above descriptors on the nose and palate. The wines of the northern Rhône can be pricier than its new world counterparts, but they generally age well. Good values can also be
found in the villages of St. Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage.
So, what then is Shiraz, you ask? Well, basically, same grape, different part of the world! Australia’s flagship grape thrives in the sunny, warm regions of Victoria, Barossa and McLaren Vale, making fruit-driven versions with many of the same characteristics as France but with riper fruit, smoother tannins and generally, more alcohol.
Syrah is also grown with success in Chile and the Sonoma Coast of California. These versions tend to display a little higher acidity levels due to a cooler growing climate. In this way, the best of these wines can mimic many qualities of the offerings from northern Rhône.
Riper versions of Syrah are also made in South Africa, Washington State and Napa Valley, CA. These wines are not called Shiraz, (though I have seen a couple taking that name in South Africa), but are a little more reflective of Australian Shiraz than French Syrah.
Syrah is a great food wine when paired with rich dishes that match its boldness. Australian Shiraz and warmer climate Syrah pair great with barbecue, steaks and burgers, while the French versions work well with braised meats and stews.
Here are a few versions of Syrah that we carry at Bodega to get you on your way to becoming a fan of this fascinating grape and the amazing wines it produces around the world!
GOOD VALUE
2018 Corvidae “Lenore” Syrah, Columbia Valley, Washington State $14.99
Hints of blueberry, blackberry, vanilla
2019 First Drop “Mother’s Milk” Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia $19.99
Soft, ripe tannins, notes of plum, chocolate, smoked meat and baking spices…94 pts.
2017 JL Chave Selections “Offerus” St. Joseph, N. Rhône, France…$38.99
Suggestions of blackberry, cherry, baking spice, smoke and earth…92 pts.
PRICIER....BUT WORTH IT
2016 Two Hand’s “Angel’s Share”, McLaren Vale, Australia…$39.99
Ripe aromas and flavors of blueberry, plum, savory herbs, baking spice, earth…93 pts.
2016 Arnot-Roberts Syrah, Sonoma Coast, CA…$49.99
A terrific wine in a class of its own…Floral, savory, clove, black pepper, good acid, lighter mouth-feel
92 pts.
2015 Two Hand’s “Max’s Garden” Shiraz, Heathcote, Australia…$52.99
Fresh offerings of plum, cherry, blackberry, licorice, spice, earth, fine-grained tannin…93 pts.
SPLURGEWORTHY
2015 K Vintners “The Beautiful” Syrah, Walla Walla, Washington…$64.99
Stunning single-vineyard wine suggesting notes of violet, black fruit and olives…98 pts.
2016 Failla Syrah, Napa Valley, CA…$64.99
(Ehren Jordan worked in Cornas, France and knows his stuff!)
Single-vineyard, blackberry, pepper, black olive…delicious!...92 pts.
2012 Phillip and Vincent Jaboulet, Cornas, N. Rhone, France…$79.99
(Jaboulet is N. Rhône royalty… 2012 vintage and it is ready to drink but could age 10 more years.)
Classic Cornas; smoked meat, black olive, baking spices…90 pts.
2016 Two Hand’s “Holy Grail” Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia …$89.99
(Simply put, this single vineyard shiraz is a triumph!)
Violet, cocoa, bacon, black olive, herbs…95 pts.
**Point scores are given by wine professionals to reflect a wine’s standing against similar wines within its general price point.
**We generally consult scores and notes from Vinous, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Advocate, Decanter,
and James Suckling.