Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.

Top Rated Syrah/Shiraz

A cluster of Shiraz grapes

The name Syrah is derived from Shiraz, a city in Iran. Some people believe its origin dates back to 600 B.C. One thing we know for certain is that the great black grape is the classic varietal of the Rhône Valley. During the last ten years, it has become more widely planted in California, Washington, Arizona and Virginia. Highly aromatic wines with meaty, smoky, spicy and peppery flavors are the trademark of the Syrah grape. When made in a lighter style, it's a good quaffing wine to pair with simple bistro food. When made in a richer style, it's a good accompaniment to lamb and wild game. Read on for the best Syrah/Shiraz we've tasted, starting with our highest rated wines.



Penfolds
2
005 Grange Shiraz
Barossa Valley
, Australia
17.5/20
$500

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Groom
2006 Shiraz
Barossa Valley
, Australia
16/20
$38

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Beckmen Vineyards
2006 Estate Syrah
Santa Ynez Valley, CA
15.5/20

$26

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Garys' Vineyard
2002 AntiqV2S Syrah
Santa Lucia Highlands
, CA
15.5/20

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Rockblock

2001 Del Rio Vineyard Syrah
Rogue Valley
, OR
15.5/20
$30

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Canihan Family Wine
2006 Exuberance Syrah
Sonoma Valley
, CA
15/20
$40

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Dutton-Goldfield
2006 Cherry Ridge Vineyard Syrah
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
, CA
15/20
$35

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MacRostie Winery and Vineyards

2006 Syrah, Wildcat Mountain Vineyard
Somona Coast
, CA
15/20
$34

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Margerum
2005 Über Syrah
Santa Barbara County, CA
15/20

$50

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Rocca Family Vineyards
2005 Syrah
Yountville, CA
15/20

$45

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Shafer Vineyards
2008 Relentless
Napa Valley, CA
15/20

$60

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Zaca Mesa
2005 Black Bear Block Syrah
Santa Ynez Valley, CA
15/20

$58

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A Donkey and Goat
2006 The Recluse Syrah
Anderson Valley, CA
14.5/20

$37

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Eberle
2009 Steinbeck Syrah
Paso Robles, CA
14/20

$21

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La Fenetre
2007 Alisos Vineyard Syrah
Santa Barbara, CA
14.5/20
$33

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Guardian Peak
2007 Shiraz
Western Cape, South Africa
14.5/20

$14

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Joseph Phelps Vineyards
2002 Syrah
Napa Valley, CA
14.5/20
$35

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Rolling Wines
2004 Shiraz
Central Ranges, Australia
14.5/20

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Ross Estate
2002 Estate Shiraz
Barossa Valley, Australia
14.5/20

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Tablas Creek Vineyard
2005 Syrah
Paso Robles, CA
14.5/20

$35

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Vina Robles
2008 Syree
Paso Robles, CA
14.5/20

$39

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Walter Dacon Wines
2006 C’est Syrah Belle
Columbia Valley, WA
14.5/20

$30

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Anthonij Rupert
2005 Syrah
Western Cape, South Africa
14/20

$65

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Bianchi Winery
2004 Signature Selection Syrah
Paso Robles, CA
14/20

$21

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Casa Madero
Shiraz MV
Parras, Mexico
14/20

$22

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Chateau de Rieux
2004 Minervois
Minervois, France
14/20

$19

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Copain
2009 Tous Ensemble Syrah
Mendocino County, CA
14/20

$24

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Dutton-Goldfield
2005 Cherry Ridge Vineyard Syrah
Green Valley of Russian River Valley, CA
14/20

$35

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Fleming Jenkins Winery
2004 Syrah; $32
Santa Cruz Mountains, CA
14/20

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Gloria Ferrer Vineyards
2002 Carneros Syrah
Sonoma, CA
14/20

$19

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Gramercy Cellars
2008 Syrah
Walla Walla Valley, Washington
14/20
$45

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Grand Burge
2001 Filsell
Barossa, Australia
14/20

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Olson Ogden
2002 Syrah
Dry Creek Valley, CA
14/20

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J.L. Chave Selection
2003 Saint-Joseph Offerus
Rhône, France
14/20

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Wattle Creek Winery
2001 Shiraz
Alexander Valley, California
14/20
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Chumeia Vineyard
2002 Syrah
Paso Robles, CA

13.5/20

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Herman Story
2001 Syrah
Paso Robles, CA

13.5/20

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Kuleto Estate
2005 Syrah
Napa Valley, CA
13.5/20

$45

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Zaca Mesa
2001 Syrah
Paso Robles, CA

13.5/20

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Barnwood Vineyards
2000 Syrah
Santa Barbara County, CA
13/20

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Jorian Hill
2004 Syrah
Santa Ynez Valley, CA
13/20

Previously featured Syrah/Shiraz
More
Top Rated Wines



 
(Updated: 05/17/12 BH)

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