There is a lot of speculation about how Syrah (and Shiraz) received its name. It was mistakenly believed to have descended from a grape that originated in the city of Shiraz in Persia, while other theories postulate that it is named for Syracuse in Sicily and or the Greek island of Syros. Whatever its origin, we do know that it descended from a cross between two almost extinct grape varieties: Mondeuse Blanche and Dureza. This points to French origin, in particular the Rhône Valley, and to this day, some of the best examples of Syrah are grown in Cornas, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, and Côte-Rôtie. Syrah is also an important component of Côte du Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and Gigondas.
In Australia and South Africa winemakers prefer to refer to Syrah as Shiraz and they’re pretty darn adamant about it. Most of the Syrah wine from these two countries is labeled “Shiraz” but there is a handful of winemakers who label theirs as “Syrah,” especially if they are making wine in a decidedly French style.
Syrah/Shiraz is also grown in Spain, Italy, Napa, Sonoma, Washington State, and almost everywhere around the world that grapes are cultivated. We have tasted many from countries spanning the globe and come up with this list of the nine best wines. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.
Our Best Syrah and Shiraz Picks
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Best Overall Syrah/Shiraz: Penfolds 2018 St. Henri Shiraz
On their boat voyage from the old-world, Mary and Dr. Christopher Penfold carried vines in their luggage and planted them upon their arrival in Australia, and in 1844 Penfolds Wine Company was established at their Magill Estate. Today winemaking is overseen by Peter Gago and in a recent Zoom tasting with him we both fell in love with St. Henri Shiraz. Peter admitted that while most people collect Penfolds Grange, there is an increasing number of wine lovers collecting St. Henri as well. The 2018 is crimson to purple colored in the glass with aromas of ripe red pepper, black licorice, and pomegranate. Silky tannins pave the way for flavors of cranberry, crushed violet petals, blackberry, and dark cocoa powder.
Buy Now: $165
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Best Syrah from France: Guigal 2019 Lieu-Dit Rouge Syrah Saint-Joseph
Marcel and Philippe Guigal represent the third generation of family winemakers at Maison Guigal and the two are committed to the legacy started by their grandfather Etienne in 1946, who made wine for an impressive 67 vintages. Their 2019 Lieu-Dit Rouge is produced from grapes grown in Saint-Joseph, a Northern Rhône appellation that requires wines to be at least 90 percent Syrah. It has aromas of black plum, black cherry, and freshly ground black pepper with flavors of red plum, dried cherry, and vanilla crème cookies.
Buy Now: $90
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Best Spanish Syrah: Abadia Retuerta 2019 Pago Garduña Syrah Castilla y Leon
Don Sancho Garcia founded the monastery Santa Maria de Retuerta in Valladolid in 1146 and today it lives on as Abadia Retuerta winery, luxury hotel, and spa. Although it is close to the Duero River, Abadia Retuerta is officially “just” outside of the Ribera del Duero D.O. (Designation of Origin) but in May 2022 they obtained their P.D.O. certification (Protected Designation of Origin) as a testament to the quality of the wine. The 2019 Pago Garduña is an exquisite wine made from Syrah grown in the P.D.O. It is ink colored with aromas of crushed violet petals, cassis, and red plum that transfer seamlessly to the palate with flavors of blackberry, dried herbs, and freshly ground black pepper.
Buy Now: $121
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Best Italian Syrah: Tua Rita 2020 Per Sempre Syrah
Rita Tua founded her eponymous winery in 1984 after purchasing an initial 37 acres but didn’t release her first wine until 1992. Her current production is under 4,000 cases per year. She is well known for her 100 percent Merlot wines, which have garnered high scores from well-respected critics, but we’re also big fans of her Syrah based wines. Her ink-colored 2020 Per Sempre has aromas of blackberry, olive leaf, dried thyme, and plum with flavors of spice, dried herbs, blueberry, and black plum.
Buy Now: $260
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Best Australian Shiraz: Henschke 2019 Tappa Pass Shiraz Barossa Valley
Most wine collectors know Henschke because of their famed Hill of Grace Shiraz from the Eden Valley and while we happen to love this wine, we also adore Tappa Pass Shiraz from the Barrosa Valley. The Henschke family has been producing wine for over 150 years and is currently in their sixth generation, making them one of Australia’s oldest family-owned wineries. It all started with Johann Christian Henschke who immigrated from Silesia to South Australia in 1868; his descendants currently make wine in the Eden Valley, Barossa Valley, and Adelaide Hills. Henschke 2019 Tappa Pass Shiraz hails from the Barossa Valley and has aromas of freshly ground white pepper, purple flowers, and black plum. It has silky smooth tannins and flavors of blackberry, plum, and a touch of cassis in the finish.
Buy Now: $147
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Best Napa Syrah: Krupp Brothers Estates 2018 Black Bart Stagecoach Vineyard Syrah
A specialist in internal medicine, Jan Krupp was also a part-time winemaker who aged wines in his suburban San Francisco basement. He moved to Napa in 1991 and bought a home surrounded by 41 acres of vines. He eventually sold his medical practice and founded Krupp Brothers Estates with his brother Bart. Unfortunately, Bart passed away earlier this year, but his legacy continues in his 2018 Black Bart Stagecoach Vineyard Syrah. It is inky purple in the glass with aromas of brown baking spices, black plum and powdered cocoa with rounded, velvety tannins and flavors of violets, fennel, black cherry, and dried plums.
Buy Now: $95
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Best Sonoma Syrah: Peay Vineyards 2020 La Bruma Syrah
Peay is a family business; husband and wife Nick Peay and Vanessa Wong grow grapes and make the wine, while Nick’s brother Andy runs the business side. All the wines are made from grapes grown on their 53-acre hilltop vineyard that consists of 34 acres of Pinot Noir, eight acres of Syrah, seven acres of Chardonnay, and about two acres of Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne. This wine comes from their La Bruma Syrah vineyard and has an enticing nose of smoked meats, especially hickory smoked bacon, black currant, black raspberry, and cinnamon with opulent tannins and flavors of cassis, black olive tapenade, black plum, and violet petals. It is drinking beautifully right now, but don’t hesitate to hold it and enjoy it over the next 10 years.
Buy Now: $90
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Best Carneros Syrah: HdV 2017 Californio Syrah
Every wine collector knows Domaine de la Romanée Conti in Burgundy but many don’t know that its former co-director Aubert de Villaine married into the Hyde family and together the two powerhouse families make stunning wines in California. Hyde vineyard is in the Carneros appellation but on the Napa side and many experts agree that wines made from these grapes have a head start at being exceptional. The 2017 Californio is ink colored with aromas of red plum, crushed violet petals and freshly picked blackberries. It has voluptuous tannins and flavors of Oolong tea, freshly ground black pepper, and black currant. It is drinking perfectly right now, but don’t hesitate to enjoy through 2030.
Buy Now: $100
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Best Syrah Under $50: Jaboulet 2021 Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage
In 1834 Antoine Jaboulet founded Domaine Paul Jaboulet Aîne in Tain l’Hermitage and eventually passed the torch to his sons Paul and Henry who subsequently passed it to their sons and grandsons. Today the domain is under the management of Caroline Frey who started converting the vineyards to organic and biodynamic principles in 2006. Her hard work was recently acknowledged when she received the Insignia of Officier du Mérite Agricole award in 2023. Jaboulet 2021 Domaine de Thalabert is ruby to purple hued with aromas of black raspberry, black pepper, and red currant with silky tannins and flavors of cardamom, cinnamon, red plum, and black cassis. Drink now or through 2036.
Buy Now: $49
