Every fourth Thursday of July we celebrate Syrah – a black grape variety which produces some of the darkest, punchiest and most age-worthy wines. Also known as Shiraz, Syrah originates from the Rhône region in France but has become a true international varietal, flourishing in vineyards around the world.
To its roots, in the northern Rhône’s appellations like Côte Rôtie and Hermitage, Syrah produces complex, full-bodied wines bursting with red and black fruits, violets, pepper and savoury meatiness.
In the south to appellations including famed Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Syrah is most often blended, adding colour, tannin, spice and complexity to these traditional GSM (Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre) blends. South again to neighbouring Languedoc-Roussillon, varietal and blended Syrah wines are worth exploring for a riper style.
Scroll down to discover 15 top-scoring Shiraz wines from DWWA 2024
Outside France, Shiraz thrives in the New World with Australia being one of its biggest and most successful producers. Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2024 results attest this – Australia claimed the only varietal Best in Show, plus three Platinums and 12 Golds for Shiraz dominant wines.
Its international appeal, global reputation and adaptability across diverse climates is underscored further by top DWWA 2024 results with 95+ points Shiraz/Syrah wines awarded from regions as varied as New Zealand, South Africa, Mexico, Chile and Spain.
Whether you’re drawn to the savoury, smoky, spicy and floral notes of a Syrah or the chocolatey, jammy, peppery richness of a Shiraz, the allure and versatility of this grape variety is undeniable.
To celebrate International Shiraz Day, we highlight 15 top-scoring wines from DWWA which are well worth seeking out. Discover more award-winning wines at awards.decanter.com →
15 Shiraz/Syrah wines to explore
Australia
Chaffey Bros., Evangeline Syrah, Eden Valley, South Australia 2021
Best in Show, 97 points
This is only the second Eden Valley Shiraz to fight its way to our Best In Show selection, and its emphatic, show-stopping character underlines how well this slightly higher-altitude zone is suited to South Australia’s favourite red variety. The wine’s opaque black-red colour tells us that generosity is on the menu, and the first sniff shows that not only is its black-cherry-and-plum fruit prodigiously aromatic, but also that the wine has had more than a year in oak. The plunging fruit – blackberry and blackcurrant – dominates the palate with the oak providing a little extra upholstery; and there’s a haunting citrus-and-lavender perfume on the palate, too, which does as much to structure the wine as the ample, gentle tannins and the curranty acidity. It’s an enjoyable and stylish wine which won’t require a long wait. Alc 14.5%
Peter Lehmann, Stonewell Shiraz, Barossa, South Australia 2018
Platinum, 97 points
Striking cassis compote, raspberry and blueberry notes unfurl and spill over onto a richly textured palate with deep-seated tannins and a whisper of smoked charcuterie evolution. Engaging and mouth-filling with a lush fruit cake ending. Alc 14.5%
Yarra Yering, Underhill, Yarra Valley, Victoria 2022
Platinum, 97 points
Inviting red plums, berries, rhubarb and herbs are shrouded flawlessly in a mystifying collective of smoky meat, earthy spice and toast. Ample tannins and fleshy texture drive the palate with an enthralling peppered raspberry finish. Alc 13.5%
Fourth Wave Wine, Woods Crampton Shiraz, Eden Valley, South Australia 2022
Gold, 96 points
A thrilling merger of plums, chocolate and liquorice underpinned by a savoury black olive note. Fleshy and gentle with glossy tannins and a long, smooth finish. Alc 14%
Chile
San Pedro, Kankana del Elqui, Elqui Valley 2021
Gold, 96 points
Sultry black olive, dense black fruit and dark chocolate notes emerge and permeate the fleshy texture, finely woven tannins and lifted acidity. Long, lingering and toasty. Alc 14%
Errazuriz, Syrah, Aconcagua Costa, Aconcagua Valley 2021
Value Gold, 96 points
Luminous violet, mint and black cherry perfume bustle onto the satin, smooth palate with poised tannins and a ravishing nip of sea weed freshness on the finish. Alc 13%
France
Domaine Verzier, Empreinte, Saint-Joseph, Rhône 2022
Platinum, 97 points
Thoroughly engaging with masses of enticing dark fruit underscored by a flourish of minty herbals. Muscular and broad-shouldered with a fluency of fibrous tannins, a tang of lip-smacking acidity and a gorgeous smoky violet finish. Alc 12.5%
Domaine Verzier, Madone, Saint-Joseph, Rhône 2022
Platinum, 97 points
A veritable hive of activity encompassing ripe mulberry and blackberry fruit and a smattering of vanilla oak spice which ebbs and flows across the solid frame of tannins and plump, mouth-watering texture. Long, peppery and superb! Alc 12.5%
Delas Frères, Les Bessards, Hermitage, Rhône 2020
Gold, 96 points
Exuberant violet florals and smoky herbs swirl decadently around the ample oaky structure and meld nicely with the expressive tannins. More to come with time. Alc 14%
Mexico
Casa de Quesada, Indómito Syrah-Viognier, Aguascalientes 2021
Gold, 95 points
Generous smoky bacon and charred mocha notes give way to a gleaming band of sweet blueberries and raspberries. Grippy and tightly wound with a lovely peppery finish. Alc 13.9%
New Zealand
Trinity Hill Wines, Syrah, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay 2021
Gold, 95 points
Awash with plush damsons, mixed berries and violet florals which unite victoriously with layers of sweet baking spice oak, fleshy tannins and beautifully lifted acidity. Alc 13.5%
South Africa
Iona, Solace Syrah, Elgin 2021
Gold, 95 points
Bustling with mineral and white pepper energy embellished with sumptuous blackberries and perfumed herbs and tempered by a delicious line of acidity. Very Northern Rhône. Alc 13.5%
Nico Van der Merwe Wines, Syrah, Stellenbosch 2019
Gold, 95 points
Oozing with panache and craftsmanship; glossy blackberry fruit, violet and steely spice notes entwine with the slick tannins and silky texture. Gloriously fluid and long. Alc 13.5%
Spain
McAlindon Wines, Terra Sagrada, Priorat 2021
Gold, 95 points
Agile notes of dried rose petal, violet and succulent bramble fruits, beautifully vivid and singing with expression. Dynamic and grippy with a long, velveteen finish. Alc 15%
Perelada, Finca Garbet, Empordà 2019
Gold, 95 points
Delightful blackberry, plum and garrigue herbs slide over the shapely tannins and voluptuous texture with a mellow swirl of chocolate and coconut oak flowing to the end. Alc 14.5%
