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The Syrah Grape
(Synonyms: Antourenein noir, Balsamina, Candive, Entournerein, Hermitage, Hignin noir, Marsanne noir, Schiras, Shiraz, Sirac, Syra, Syrac, Serine, Sereine.)
Syrah is a red-wine grape originating in the Rhone Valley region of France. It is generally considered one of the dozen and a half or so of world-class red-wine grapes (those in boldface in the dropdown varietals lists near the top of the page)—arguably one of the top three (with Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon). The wine remains the mainstay of Rhone reds, but is also cultivated with great success in a great many other areas, most notably Australia (as "Shiraz"), California, Washington State (where it is arguably the signature red grape), and Chile.
Syrah is readily recognizeable once encountered. While its style varies somewhat from region to region, depending on climate, it is always at least medium-bodied, and more often quite full-bodied, with strong fruit, definite tannins, and the characteristic "flannel" quality of Rhone reds. Also often mentioned is a "smoky" taste element (and, not infrequently, bacon, of all things). In general, the warmer the climate where the grapes are grown, the fuller the and more strongly flavored the wine (Australian Shiraz represents this especially full character).
Syrah wines, broadly speaking, tend to be more variable in styling than is the case for many other "noble" red grapes. Some wine writers express the major perceived distinction as "Syrah vs Shiraz", while many others express it in relation to its home in the Rhone region as "cool-climate vs warm-climate" wines. The "northern" or "cool-climate" or "Syrah" types are seen as somewhat leaner, smokier and less fruit-forward, and tannic enough to benefit from significant aging (though drinkable young); the "southenr" or "warm-climate" or "Shiraz" wines are heavier-bodied, more fruit-forward, and more aimed at immediate consumption. Either way, one thing most seem to agree on is that Syrah/Shiraz benefits even more than most from getting a good airing before serving, so open it well in advance and decant (or otherwise aerate) it.
Syrah also appears in blends, especially from the southern parts of the Rhone region, where it is partnered with Grenache; northern Rhone Syrah-based wines are rarely if ever blended (save that, occasionally and curiously, a wee tad of white-wine Viognier might be added). Rhone reds are among the most prestigious in the world, and include such names as Hermitage and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
For various reasons, Syrah has not been a big seller in the U.S.—which means that there are bargains (at least in a relative sense) to be had. Not a few wine writers (see some of the remarks below) feel that this disinclination arose from the glut of Australian Shiraz that washed into America some years back; there was (and is), to be sure, some tremendously good stuff in there, but there was also a lot of overblown, and over-priced, super-jammy "fruit bomb" stuff of little or no character or distinction, giving the varietal an association with plonk. (That sort of problem has infested other varietals, too, from Riesling—"No American will pay over $6 for a bottle of Riesling" as a winemaker once complained to us—to Merlot.)
Factoid: In the U.S., awareness of Rhone wines was materially raised by the activities of a few dedicated winemakers who informally called themselves the "Rhone Rangers".
(About this list.)
This list was problematic. As we all know, at under $20 you aren't going to get the very best around for any varietal save perhaps a very few. But given that, the choices here were many and hard to select from. Our final choices are scattered around, from South America to Washington, from California to France to Australia. Have fun choosing.
The quotations below are excerpts; we strenuously urge you to click on the green diamond ♦ symbol by each quoted review to see the full article.
(Uco Valley, Argentina.)
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Some quotations and facts about this wine:
♦
Good full, deep red-ruby. Dark berries, kirsch, blackberry, dark chocolate, mocha and smoked meat on the nose, plus a whiff of leather. Sweet, lush, pliant and full, with a strong chocolatey ripeness to the intense dark berry flavors. Chewy, mouthfilling syrah from 50-year-old vines (the vine cuttings orginally came from the northern and southern Rhone Valley). Finishes big and broad, with furry tannins and a hint of game. 91 points. [Antonio Galloni, Vinous]
♦
A dense, juicy red, displaying rich plum, crushed wild berry, spice, game and light earth notes that follow through on the long, minerally finish. 90 points, Smart Buy. [Wine Spectator]
♦
The nose is ripe and quite heady, with aromas of plums and a lactic touch. The wine fermented in stainless steel with 20% full clusters and matured in barriques for 10 months during which time the wine was racked four times. T he palate is medium-bodied, with some abundant, fine-grained, slightly dusty tannins. 90 points. [Wine Advocate]
♦
A little shy now but shows spice, dried meat, and earth character as well as flowers. Full body, firm tannins and a long and flavorful finish. 91 points. [James Suckling, June 2015]
♦
[It] begins with a fantastic aroma of blackberry, leather, smoked meat and spice. Tasting this smooth, lush and savory wine reveals lots of blackberry jam which quickly gives way to coffee, chocolate, oaky spice and mineral notes. Fantastic now, although it is still a bit oaky so give it some time to breathe or cellar it for a few years and watch it develop even more. On the finish more savory blackberry fruit is followed by lingering smoky tobacco notes. Taste Rating: 9; Cost Rating: 1; Overall Rating: 7.0. Recommended Buy
♦
Pretty aromatics include balsam wood, blackberry and blueberry. The palate is lush but well structured, with bullish berry, chocolate and creamy oak flavors. Minty and super spicy and long on the finish, with a lasting dark toastiness. 90 points.
(Columbia Valley, U.S.A. This is not their "Silver Star" bottling.)
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Some quotations and facts about this wine:
♦
Rating: * (Excellent) Dark in color, staining the glass. Aromatically appealing with smoke, char, an underlayer of spice, blueberry, and cooked egg. The palate is silky and textured, with thick fruit flavors. An extremely enjoyable wine that is an unusual find at this price point. 100% Syrah.
♦
Seattle Magazine 2012 "Best Red Wines": Syrah under $20, Winner: Purple Star 2009. Most of the fruit from this 100 percent Syrah, which fills the mouth with lush blackberry and black peppery spice, comes from Olsen Vineyards near Prosser in the Yakima Valley AVA. Five percent Kiona Syrah from Red Mountain brings structure to this lovely wine. . . Fifteen percent of [winery] proceeds goes to the Seattle Children’s Hospital Fund for Uncompensated Care, which gives us another reason to love this wine.
♣
Wine Spectator (date unknown), 91 points
♦
This wine uses 95% Olsen grapes from the Yakima Valley along with a touch of Red Mountain fruit, and it is superb. It opens with aromas of gooey brownies, dark fruit, sizzling bacon and moist earth. On the palate, it reveals hedonistic flavors of plum, blueberry, blackberry jam and roasted meat. It’s a big, dark, brooding wine with a great finish. Alas, it is sold out, but a new vintage is now for sale. Rating: Outstanding!
♦
Made from fruit that was sourced from Olsen Vineyards, this Syrah’s blackberry, cherry and pepper flavors and fine-grained tannins combine to make a wine with good length and a clean finish. 90 points.
♦
BBQ boysenberries and bacon fat all over the nose. Rich notes of blackberries and boysenberries hit the front of the palate with a spicy back-round. There is a bright core of fruit that is the backbone of this wine leading into a char-caramel finish. This Syrah sort of smacks you in the palate with attitude and finishes with a smirk. I like the spice and berry notes but missed the bacon-fat on the palate. A lot of folks are going to like this one. (B+)
♦
Purple Star ’09 Syrah is a wine that over delivers on quality for the price and is always one of our favorites. A true teeth stainer, and so good it’s hard to believe it’s only $16!
♦
Inky purple with black fruit and pepper flavors this is the top wine coming from Purple Star. Sourced primarily from Olsen Brothers vineyard in the Yakima Valley (with 5% coming from Red Mountain’s Kiona Vineyard), this wine is ripe for drinking now or laying down for a couple more years.
(Apalta, Chile. This is not the "M" bottling.)
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Some quotations and facts about this wine:
♦
The nose is ripe and lively with plenty of florality, black licorice and subtle leather tones. On the palate you can expect some serious fruit - cherry, blackberry and blueberry claim the initial spotlight with well-honed structure, a full body and tangible tannins dominating the evolution.
♦
The Montes Alpha Syrah is characterized by a deep ruby color. The initial aromas are floral with notes of leather and tobacco. Many people describe it as "earthy." Flavors of fruit come through when tasting, particularly blueberries and cassis. The finish has hints of oak, which is unsurprising given that the Syrah is aged for one year in French oak barrels. The wine is rich and full-bodied, with mature tannins making it easy on the palate. Hints of spice and pepper make this a wine that is a fantastic pairing with tomato sauces or red meats. . . At its price point the Montes Alpha is one of the most sophisticated Syrahs available and one purely Chilean both in grape and in production.
♣
Wine Spectator (July 3, 2006), 91 points
♦
Lovely aromas of black cherry confiture and freshly shaved vanilla bean lead to a ripe, supple palate of cassis, plum and mineral, all shaded deftly with a dash of spicy toast. Shows nice grip too.
♦
Montes Alpha Syrah pours a dark reddish-purple in the glass. The nose has earthy aromas of blueberry, leather, and spice. Tastes of dark fruit, tart cherries, and tobacco fill the wine’s silky palate. The finish is smooth and spicy with earthy undertones. A rich yet elegant Syrah that drinks well beyond its price point. A-
♦
A full, spicy and fruity Syrah with an intense colour and a burst in the mouth. Smooth tannins and cool, sexy forest fruit. Maybe a bit mass produced and not too personal, but who cares? This is only around £10-15 (only in a good way, still a great gift!). . . None of the hot jammy characteristics of the Central Valley, but much fresher fruit with notes of tobacco, leather and a whiff of cedar with a nice acidity and a little Syrah smack in the mouth. Great for its price.
♦
Firm aroma of plum, black pepper, and a touch of bacon fat. Strong tannins with a long, spicy finish.
♦
Big nose, smoky and spicy, just hinting at the quality to come. Dry in the mouth with nice berry fruit. Elegant and interesting, with a slight blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier. . [T]his Syrah is one that I won't forget soon. In fact, it would be a nice candidate for aging in the years to come. Don't pass this one up. 93 points
(McLaren Vale, Australia.)
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Some quotations and facts about this wine:
♦
A deep inviting ruby colour, the wine smells intensely of dark fruits – berries and plums. There are also aromas of sweet spice and vanilla, which could be down to the aging of the wine in a mixture of French and American oak. I thought I might have caught a whiff of mocha too. The taste is dark cherries and berries, with a really sweet spice and peppery finish. The tannins are velvety smooth, making this full-bodied wine really easy to drink. It’d be fine on it’s own but I’d like to serve it with traditional roast beef. The alcohol level is 14% – but to me this didn’t feel like a massive wine.
♦
The wine was dark purple, and had a bright, spicy nose that reminded me why I chose a Shiraz to drink in the first place. As I usually do, I tasted a small amount and decanted the rest for about half an hour. My taste buds were immediately greeted with warm spices, cherry and plum flavors. It somewhat skipped the middle part, and finish was as if someone had pushed a button to deliver a quick tang that lingered ever so slightly. After some time opening up, you could begin to isolate its characteristics. It's not the most complex wine I've ever had, but imagine a medium bodied wine with a spicy, cherry flavor followed by a quick rush of acidity with a plum flavor. All those flavors lingered in the tasty, but quick finish. . . Although a Shiraz, the spice resembled a French Chateauneauf de Pape and fruit a Spanish Monastrell.
♣
Wine Advocate (August 2008), 90 points
♣
International Wine Cellar (October 2007), 89 points
♣
Wine Spectator (October 2007), 89 points
♦
Opaque purple, it presents aromas of smoke, cedar, tar, grilled bacon, and blueberry. Full-bodied, the wine delivers gobs of youthful ripe fruit flavors modulated by excellent balance and enough structure to carry this wine for 5-7 years in the cellar.
♦
In true McLaren Vale fashion there's a great dark fruit and spice line through and through this wine that's an extra joy. It's juicy, lip smacking as well as deeply rooted in its deeper flavour and textural spectrums. 94 points
♦
Youthful purple. Varietally accurate black fruits, licorice, cured meat and cracked pepper on the nose. Sweeter red berry flavors deepen with air, picking up ripe cassis and blueberry flavors, with gentle acidity providing lift. The sweet, silky finish features fine-grained tannins that nicely frame dark berry and cherry flavors. Very easy to drink.
♦
This is soaked in ripe damsons, plums and chocolate, with beautiful, velvety tannins. 17pts/20 (90 pts/100)
♦
Firm in texture, with a nice beam of dark berry and cherry flavors at the core, hinting at cinnamon and cedar around the edges. Finishes with persistence.
(Collines Rhodaniennes, France. Don't confuse this "Collines Rhodaniennes" with their several other Syrah bottlings, such as the Zélé.)
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Some quotations and facts about this wine:
♦
The nose was smoky with grapey, concentrated aromas. In the mouth were dense, grapey flavors which were weighty and of young fruit taste. The wine expanded rapidly with air, taking on density and lipstick notes in the finish supported by acidity. On the second day youthful black fruit touched the sides of the tongue which was followed by an almost saline, expansive middle. ***
♦
Deep, dark garnet color, with a somewhat shy black fruit and iodine nose that echoes and expands considerably on the palate; with air, some nice notes of garrigue and leather emerge to really set the tone to the wine’s personality. Smooth texture belies the ample structure that will take this some years down the road, but it’s drinking quite well right now. A solid, not-quite-everyday Syrah, and we went back for more of this one…
♦
One of our longtime go-tos for traditional, affordable northern Rhône syrah, Faury’s wines manage to be dense and structured, but still eminently fresh. This entry-level syrah, hailing from younger vines planted in granite soils on a high altitude plateau, shows the more herbal side of the grape. Unfiltered and raw, with aromas of sage, flowers and meat, this is the stuff dinner table dreams are made of.
♦
This spicy syrah encapsulates the vibrancy of the excellent 2010 vintage and is representative of the great value and quality of wines coming from this area. Rosehip and white pepper on the nose lead into a viscous palate with fine and forgiving tannins.
(Santa Barbara County, U.S.A. This is their basic Syrah, not any of the named-vineyard or other special Syrah releases.)
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Some quotations and facts about this wine:
♦
Tar and beef char kick off the nose on this dark and heavy wine, which offers asphalt, smoked meats and crushed elderberry. Caramelized beef, balsamic-blackberry reduction, tobacco and touches of smoke show on the palate. 90 points.
♦
The entry level 2013 Syrah Santa Barbara County is a classic Cali Syrah with its spicy, potpourri, cured meat and plum/blackberry core of fruit. Charming, medium to full-bodied, beautifully put together and downright gulpable, drink it over the coming 4-5 years. [Wine Advocate, 20 August 2016]
♦
Fess Parker Winery's 2013 Santa Barbara County syrah is a delicious balance of brawn and beauty. There's certainly muscle here: it's inky, full-bodied and extracted. It's meaty on the palate, with big flavors of blackberries, plums, mocha, pepper and earth. But winemaker Blair Fox and his team have also achieved finesse and elegance here, with a potpourri of herb aromas, a buxom mouth feel and a silky finish.
♦
This dark ruby colored Syrah…opens with a challenging flinty, leather, black olive and boysenberry bouquet. However on the palate, its charm wins you over. It is medium bodied, balanced and smooth. It displays very tasty blueberry and gentle black cherry flavors. We also detected hints of oak, black pepper, black olive and cola. The finish is dry and its moderate tannins build up nicely and fade away. 91 points.
♦
Good red-ruby. Deep nose of roasted red fruits, smoke, meat and nutty oak. Flavors of smoky red berries and meat show a sappy quality and good verve thanks to harmonious acidity. Boasts good stuffing and varietal character for a California syrah in this price range. Finishes with ripe, dusty tannins and good persistence. [International Wine Cellar, February 2004]
♦
Restrained, with wild berry, mushroom, leather and spice flavors that unfold into simpler candied coconut and cherry notes on the finish. 87 points. [Wine Spectator]
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Some Descriptions of Syrah Wines
"The style and flavor profile of wines made from Syrah is influenced by the climate where the grapes are grown with moderate climates (such as the northern Rhone Valley and parts of the Walla Walla AVA in Washington State) tending to produce medium to full-bodied wines with medium-plus to high levels of tannins and flavors of blackberry, mint and black pepper notes. In hot climates (such as the Barossa Valley of Australia), Syrah is more consistently full-bodied with softer tannin, jammier fruit and spice notes of liquorice, anise and earthy leather. In many regions the acidity and tannin levels of Syrah allows the wines produced from the grape to have favorable aging potential. . . Aroma characters can range from violets to berries (usually dark as opposed to red), chocolate, espresso and black pepper. No one aroma can be called "typical" though blackberry and pepper are often noticed. With time in the bottle these "primary" notes are moderated and then supplemented with earthy or savory "tertiary" notes such as leather and truffle. "Secondary" flavor and aroma notes are those associated with several things, generally winemakers' practices (such as oak barrel and yeast treatment). . . "Syrah"-labelled wines are sometimes thought to be more similar to classic Northern Rhône reds; presumably more elegant, tannic, smoke-flavoured and restrained with respect to their fruit component. "Shiraz"-labelled wines, on the other hand, would then be more similar to archetypical Australian or other New World examples; presumably made from riper berries, more fruit-driven, higher in alcohol, less obviously tannic, peppery rather than smokey, usually more easily approached when young, and possibly slightly sweetish in impression. It must however be realized that this rule of thumb is unevenly applied. . . Due to their concentrated flavours and high tannin content, many premium Syrah wines are at their best after some considerable bottle aging. In exceptional cases, this may be 15 years or longer."
"Syrah is responsible for some of the darkest full-bodied red wines in the world. It has dark fruit flavors from sweet blueberry to savory black olive. When you taste Syrah you’ll be greeted with a punch of flavor that tapers off and then has a spicy peppery note in the aftertaste. Because of its front-loaded style, Syrah is often blended with grapes that add more mid-palate, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, to help make the wine taste more complete. Traditionally in France, Syrah is blended with light-bodied Grenache and even richer Mourvedre to create the classic Côtes du Rhône blend. Old World Syrahs from Italy and France tend to have more acidity and earthy-herbaceous aromas. New World-styled Syrah wines from Australia, The U.S. and South America usually have more fruit-driven characteristics with lots of spice."
"Syrah is most closely associated with the Northern Rhône appellations of Hermitage and Côte-Rotie, where it produces wines of phenomenal elegance and longevity. It is tremendously flexible, and can make elegant and restrained wines as well as wines bursting with fruit and oak, in locations as diverse as France, California, South Africa, and Australia. In the 1650s, South Africa was the first country outside France to plant Syrah, but it has never been more than a minor variety there. In Australia, however, where it arrived at the end of the 18th Century, it has become the most widely planted grape in that country. In the northern Rhône, Syrah is typically made as a varietal wine, at times co-fermented or blended with small amounts of Viognier. In the southern Rhône, Syrah is an important blending varietal, and second only to Grenache in acreage. It partners lends to Grenache-based blends darker color, structure, tannin and ageability. . . Wines made from Syrah are intense with a dark purple-black color. The wines taste of blackberry and black raspberry fruit, smoke, tar and black pepper, and have a smooth supple texture. Syrah reflects minerality well, and the chalky character of the tannins provides a wonderful backbone to softer, fruitier varietals such as Grenache and Counoise.
"Shiraz wines display firm tannins (although they are typically ripe and smooth, not abrasive like younger reds can be), a medium to full body, and the rich round flavors of black cherry, blackberry, plum, bell pepper, black pepper, clove, licorice, dark chocolate and smoked meat."
"Syrah's characteristic flavors have been described as dark fruits, sometimes smoke, meat (particularly bacon), leather and a white pepper finish. Cooler regions seem to bring out black pepper, green olive and spice aromas while warmer regions have more pronounced raspberry, cherry and earthy notes."
"Certainly, Americans buy Côte-Rôtie when made by Guigal. They’ll even pay hundreds of dollars a bottle. These can be great wines, though perhaps atypical. But I fear that their stylistic legacy — ultra-ripe syrah fruit and lots of new oak flavor, especially when made with grapes from less distinctive sites by less experienced winemakers — results in too many wines of little character. This, I suggest, is why American don’t buy a lot of syrah: Too many of the wines seem generic, a blend of fruit and oak that may be vaguely pleasant but could come from anywhere and be made of any grape."
"Syrah wines can display myriad dark-fruit flavors. Varietal Syrah can be quite floral in its youth, developing more peppery and herbaceous notes as it ages. Some examples show tanned leather and smoky scents, while the fruit in these wines tends towards the very dark flavors of blackcurrant and licorice."
"Syrah has merit, it has panache, it has style and grace, and it’s the best deal in red wine now. Think wines with spiced black fruits, velvety rims, tannins that purr and a backbone of peppery spice. You can spend $50 on a full-bodied Cabernet today if you want to do that, but why not gamble a bit and spend $30 on a Syrah?"
"Syrah is used primarily for producing strong red wines. The world’s 7th most grown grape in 2004, it is used as a varietal just as often as it’s blended. Its high tannin content gives it the ability to influence powerfully flavored, full bodied wines. Syrah wines tend to have an intensely rich, chewy texture with dark violet and black hues. Aromas lean on the spicier side, rather than fruity. Syrah’s smoky attributes and its ability to flourish in a large range of climates gives winemakers the chance to put their artistry into full practice, defining Syrah wines by the terroir and flavors such as black cherry, pepper, and spice."
"No grape scores higher on the intensity meter than Syrah. It’s the marquee grape of France’s Rhône Valley, where it makes smoky, powerful reds with hints of black pepper. It has also become the signature grape of Australia, where it’s called Shiraz, and typically produces fruitier, less tannic wines marked by sweet blackberry flavors. American Syrahs lean more toward the Australian mold, thanks to California’s similarly moderate weather; there are a few very good, earthy Syrahs coming from South Africa, too."