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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.
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 savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too floral or soapy.
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.
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 savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Jumilla Monastrell
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 savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Priorat
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 savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Mavrud
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Languedoc red
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Jumilla Monastrell
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Priorat
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 less floral, and more tannic and structured.
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 less floral, 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.
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.
Melnik
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.
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.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
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 less spicy.
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.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more restrained in fruit.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.
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 less floral, 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 less floral, 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 less floral, and fruitier.
Priorat
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 less floral, 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.
Chilean Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
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 floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Brunello di Montalcino
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 savoury.
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 floral, and less spicy.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
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 floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 less floral, 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 less floral, and fruitier.
Jumilla Monastrell
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 less floral, and leaner and more cutting.
Languedoc red
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 less floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.
California traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
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 floral, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
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.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Languedoc red
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
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 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 floral, and less oaky.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
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 floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbaresco
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 restrained in fruit.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Palomino Fino
Palomino Fino scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Muscadet
Muscadet scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Barolo
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more savoury.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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 less floral.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
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 savoury, and less floral.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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 fruitier, and less floral.
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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.
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Jumilla Monastrell
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Priorat
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 less floral, and more tannic and structured.
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 less floral, and more herbal and green.
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.
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 less floral, and softer and rounder.
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 less floral, and more herbal and green.
Priorat
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 less floral, and fuller and richer.
Montsant
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.
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 fruitier, and less floral.
Priorat
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 less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, 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.
Priorat
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 less floral, and more tannic and structured.
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 less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Jumilla Monastrell
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
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 less floral, 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 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.
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Jumilla Monastrell
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
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 less floral, 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 less floral, and broader and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Priorat
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 less floral, 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 less floral, and fuller and richer.
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 less floral, 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 less floral, and fruitier.
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.