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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 keeping the peppery, spicy character, while moving away from too floral or soapy, too oaky or woody, too drying or too tannic and too peppery.
- You said you like the peppery, spicy character and that it is too oaky or woody. Both are about spice, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the peppery, spicy character and that it is too peppery. Both are about spice, 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 peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
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.
Grenache
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.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
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.
Grenache
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.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
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.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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 less floral.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
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 more oaky.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grenache
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.
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 floral, and spicier.
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 more oaky, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Brunello di Montalcino
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Taurasi
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Aglianico
Aglianico scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 less floral, and lighter.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grenache
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.
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 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 less floral, and spicier.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
English sparkling rosé
English sparkling rosé scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Ruby Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grenache
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.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Barossa Shiraz
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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 floral, and more aromatic.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Cru Beaujolais
Cru Beaujolais scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less spicy.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Cerasuolo di Vittoria scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less spicy.
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.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 oaky, and less floral.
Taurasi
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
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 more oaky, and less floral.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
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 more oaky, and less floral.
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 more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
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 less floral, and spicier.
Jumilla Monastrell
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 more oaky.
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 less floral.
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 less floral.
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.
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 less floral.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montsant
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
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 more oaky.
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 less floral.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
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 more oaky.
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 more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Barossa Shiraz
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.
Grenache
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.
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 floral, and spicier.
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 more oaky, and less floral.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
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.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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 less floral.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Amarone della Valpolicella
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 more oaky.
Ribera del Duero
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
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.