If you like this, try…

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.

← Back to Washington Syrah

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.

I like…

The firm, grippy structure The spice The earthy, mineral side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too peppery too floral or soapy too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

Clear all

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 keeping the firm tannic structure and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too earthy or musty and too drying or too tannic.

You said you like the firm tannic structure and that it is too drying or too tannic. Both are about tannin, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Australian Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Southern Rhône blend

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Areni

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Chianti

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The style Washington Syrah is most often compared to.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Australian Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Australian Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.

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 leaner and more cutting.

Cru Beaujolais

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Loire Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.

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 more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.

Loire Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more tannic and structured.

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 more tannic and structured, and less floral.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

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 fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.

Chilean Carmenère

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Madiran

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Montefalco Sagrantino

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Bairrada Baga

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.

Tannat

Tannat scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Chianti

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.

Loire Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.

Oregon Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

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 fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and leaner and more cutting.

Carmenère

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.

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 more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Cava

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

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 more tannic and structured, and less floral.

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Australian Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Prokupac

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Castelão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

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 more tannic and structured, and less oaky.

Rioja

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.

Tempranillo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.

Rioja Reserva

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more restrained in fruit.

Barbaresco

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

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.

Australian Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less spicy.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.

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 fruit-driven, and more aromatic.

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 more tannic and structured, and more fruit-driven.

Cru Beaujolais

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more tannic and structured.

Langhe Nebbiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Areni

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Australian Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.

Chianti

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The style Washington Syrah is most often compared to.

Expect: More restrained in fruit, with a longer track record.

Chianti Classico Riserva

Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

California Rhône blend

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.

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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.

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.

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 fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.

Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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 tannic and structured, and more herbal and green.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more tannic and structured.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more tannic and structured.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The style Washington Syrah is most often compared to.

Expect: More restrained in fruit, with a longer track record.

Bekaa Valley Red

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 more tannic and structured, and earthier.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

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 more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more tannic and structured.

Barossa Shiraz

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more tannic and structured.

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 more tannic and structured.

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.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.

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 fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.

Chianti

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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 more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Australian Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.

Areni

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.

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.

Australian Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.

Areni

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.

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 more tannic and structured, and less floral.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more tannic and structured.

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 more tannic and structured, and earthier.

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 more tannic and structured, and earthier.

How these are chosen

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.