Comparison
Barbaresco vs Washington Syrah
How Barbaresco and Washington Syrah differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Washington Syrah has more spice; Barbaresco has more aromatic intensity; Barbaresco has more acidity.
Choose
Barbaresco
Choose Barbaresco if you want something more aromatic, fresher and more acidic, more tannic and structured.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
Washington Syrah is spicier: medium-plus against low.
Aromatic intensity
Clear differenceHow strongly the wine smells before it is tasted. Some grapes are intrinsically aromatic; others express mainly on the palate.
Barbaresco is more aromatic: high against medium.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Barbaresco is fresher and more acidic: high against medium-plus.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Barbaresco is more tannic and structured: high against medium-plus.
Fruit intensity
Clear differenceHow loudly the fruit flavours speak, independent of whether they are ripe or tart.
Washington Syrah is fruitier: medium-plus against medium.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Barbaresco is more floral: medium-plus against medium.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Body: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Oak influence: Similar — both medium.
- Savoury character: Similar — both medium-plus.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Barbaresco | Washington Syrah |
|---|---|---|
| Spice | low (1/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Acidity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Tannin | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Floral character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Texture | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Earthy character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 16–18°C | 16–18°C |
| Typical flavours | red cherry, rose, tar, liquorice, dried herbs | blackberry, black pepper, olive, smoked meat, violet |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Style
Barbaresco
Barolo’s neighbour: the same Nebbiolo, a slightly warmer site and a shorter ageing requirement, giving a marginally more approachable wine.
Style
Washington Syrah
A distinctive American Syrah: savoury, smoky and often startlingly close to the northern Rhône in character.
Comparison
Barolo vs Barbaresco
Two Nebbiolo appellations a few kilometres apart — what really separates them?