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Wines like Washington Syrah
A distinctive American Syrah: savoury, smoky and often startlingly close to the northern Rhône in character. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Washington Syrah?
Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.
What these words mean
- The firm, grippy structure
- High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
- The vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- The spice
- Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- The earthy, mineral side
- Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
- The savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
Looking for something moving away from too earthy or musty.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Mavrud
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Languedoc red
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Mavrud
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Mavrud
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Argentine Malbec
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.
Argentine Malbec
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more aromatic.
Languedoc red
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.
Argentine Malbec
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stiller.
Cava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Frühburgunder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Piedirosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Cornalin
Cornalin scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more aromatic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Vernaccia di San Gimignano scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe style Washington Syrah is most often compared to.
Expect: More restrained in fruit, with a longer track record.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less floral.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more aromatic.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Languedoc red
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Montsant
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher and more acidic.
Barossa Shiraz
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Shiraz
Shiraz scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Mavrud
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Languedoc red
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Mavrud
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Languedoc red
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less floral.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more herbal and green.
Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.