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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.

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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, the savoury, non-fruity character and the peppery, spicy character, while 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.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Languedoc red

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Mavrud

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The style Washington Syrah is most often compared to.

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

Fetească Neagră

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
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.

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

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
About as earthy or musty 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.

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.

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.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The style Washington Syrah is most often compared to.

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

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.

Fetească Neagră

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

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 spicy, and less floral.

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 spicy, and sweeter.

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.

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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.

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

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 spicy, and less floral.

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 less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.

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 less tannic and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Argentine Malbec

Both sit in the same style family.

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

New Zealand Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

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.

Mavrud

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

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 spicy, and broader and softer.

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sangiovese

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

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.

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 less spicy, and more fruit-driven.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

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 spicy, 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 more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Port

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.

Cornalin

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

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

Languedoc red

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

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

Nero di Troia

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

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

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 spicy, and more oaky.

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 spicy, and less oaky.

Rioja

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

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

Tempranillo

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

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

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Languedoc red

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

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

Mavrud

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and broader and softer.

Fetească Neagră

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and broader and softer.

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 spicy, and more aromatic.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

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

Douro red

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

Similar but more savoury

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The style Washington Syrah is most often compared to.

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Taurasi

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.

Barolo

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.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Bolgheri

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 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.

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 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.

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.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

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

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

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

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The style Washington Syrah is most often compared to.

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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.

Barossa Shiraz

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.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

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 spicy, and less floral.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The style Washington Syrah is most often compared to.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Something more adventurous

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

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.

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.

Fetească Neagră

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Fetească Neagră

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

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

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 spicy, and less floral.

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

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.