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Wines like Washington Syrah
A distinctive American Syrah: savoury, smoky and often startlingly close to the northern Rhône in character. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Washington Syrah?
Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.
What these words mean
- The firm, grippy structure
- High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
- The vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- The spice
- Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- The earthy, mineral side
- Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
- The savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
Looking for something moving away from too drying or too tannic, too oaky or woody and too savoury or funky.
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.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 restrained in fruit, and spicier.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Argentine 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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 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 more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
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 oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Argentine 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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 restrained in fruit, and spicier.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Toro
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Petite Sirah
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more fruit-driven.
Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot 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.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
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 more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Argentine 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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 restrained in fruit, and spicier.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
California Rhône blend
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 more oaky, and spicier.
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 fruit-driven, and more oaky.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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 more fruit-driven, and sweeter.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and sweeter.
Vin Doux Naturel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.
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 restrained in fruit, and spicier.
Prokupac
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
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.
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.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more oaky.
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.
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.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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 restrained in fruit, and spicier.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Argentine 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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 restrained in fruit, and spicier.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe style Washington Syrah is most often compared to.
Expect: More restrained in fruit, with a longer track record.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
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 restrained in fruit.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Rhône blend
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 more oaky, and spicier.
Argentine 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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 fruit-driven, 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 more restrained in fruit, and spicier.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Montsant
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 spicy.
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 more savoury.
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.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Montsant
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 spicy.
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 restrained in fruit, and spicier.
California Rhône blend
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 more oaky, and spicier.
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 more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
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 oaky.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
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 more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and 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.
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 restrained in fruit, and spicier.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Argentine 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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
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 more savoury.
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 savoury.
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 savoury.
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.