Top Rated Syrah/Shiraz

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
2005 Grange Shiraz
Barossa Valley, Australia
17.5/20
$500

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Donelan
2010 Obsidian Vineyard Syrah
Knights Valley, CA
16.5/20
$90

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Beckmen Vineyards
2006 Estate Syrah
Santa Ynez Valley, CA
15.5/20
$26

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Bonny Doon Vineyard
2008 Bien Nacido X-Block Syrah
Santa Maria Valley, CA
15.5/20
$42

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Cairdean Vineyards
2011 Atlas Peak Syrah
Santa Maria Valley, CA
15.5/20
$68

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

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Clarendon Hills
2007 Onkaparinga Syrah
McLaren Vale, Australia
15/20
$75

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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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Hill Family Estate
2011 Clarke Vineyard Syrah
Napa Valley, CA
15/20
$40

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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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Mira Winery
2009 Hyde Vineyard Syrah
Carneros, CA
15/20
$48

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Record Family Wines
2012 Reserve Syrah
Paso Robles, CA
15/20
$34

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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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Stark Wine
2009 Cuvée Julian, Stoney Creek Vineyard
Fair Play, CA
15/20
$36

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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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Copain
2010 Les Voisins Syrah
Yorkville Highlands, CA
14.5/20
$36

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Guardian Peak
2007 Shiraz
Western Cape, South Africa
14.5/20
$14

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Kay Brothers Amery
2011 Hillside Shiraz
McLaren Vale, South Australia
14.5/20
$60

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

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Piggyback Cellars
2012 Syrah
Yakima Valley, WA
14.5/20
$33

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Tablas Creek Vineyard
2005 Syrah
Paso Robles, CA
14.5/20
$35

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Va Piano Vineyards
2013 Les Collines Vineyard Syrah
Walla Walla, WA
14.5/20
$63

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Viña Robles
2008 Syrée
Paso Robles, CA
14.5/20
$39

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Walter Dacon Wines
2006 C’est Syrah Belle
Columbia Valley, Washington
14.5/20
$30

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Anthonij Rupert
2005 Syrah
Western Cape, South Africa
14/20
$65

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Casa Madero
Shiraz MV
Parras, Mexico
14/20
$22

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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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Eberle
2009 Steinbeck Syrah
Paso Robles, CA
14/20
$21

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Jaffurs
2011 Syrah
Santa Barbara County, CA
14/20
$27

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

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Hedges Family Estate
2010 Descendants Liégeois Dupont Syrah
Red Mountain, Washington
14/20
$25

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Kuleto Estate
2005 Syrah
Napa Valley, CA
13.5/20
$45

Previously featured Syrah/Shiraz

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