Comparison
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon vs Washington Syrah
How Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon and Washington Syrah differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Washington Syrah has more spice; Washington Syrah has more earthy character; Washington Syrah has more floral character.
Choose
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Choose Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon if you want something more herbal and green.
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.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Washington Syrah is earthier: medium-plus against low.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Washington Syrah is more floral: medium against low.
Herbal / green character
Clear differenceHerbs, grass, blackcurrant leaf, capsicum and other green notes, largely driven by methoxypyrazines and picking decisions.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon is more herbal and green: medium against low.
Savoury character
Clear differenceNon-fruit, umami-adjacent character: meat, leather, olive, soy, broth, cured notes. Often increases with age.
Washington Syrah is more savoury: 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.
- Acidity: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Tannin: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Body: Similar — both medium-plus.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon | Washington Syrah |
|---|---|---|
| Spice | low (1/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Floral character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Herbal / green character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| 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 high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Serve at | 16–18°C | 16–18°C |
| Typical flavours | cassis, black cherry, bay leaf, graphite, cedar | 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
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Structured, refined Cabernet from a strongly maritime corner of Western Australia — the New World region closest to Bordeaux in balance.
Style
Washington Syrah
A distinctive American Syrah: savoury, smoky and often startlingly close to the northern Rhône in character.