If you like this, try…
Wines like Washington Syrah
A distinctive American Syrah: savoury, smoky and often startlingly close to the northern Rhône in character. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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 savoury, non-fruity character and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too drying or too tannic.
- You said you like the firm tannic structure and that it is too drying or too tannic. Both are about tannin, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe style Washington Syrah is most often compared to.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Chilean Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe style Washington Syrah is most often compared to.
Expect: More restrained in fruit, with a longer track record.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Pinot Noir
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.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
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.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and leaner and more cutting.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
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 restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
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 fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
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 fruitier.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
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 fruitier.
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 more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 fruit-driven, and fruitier.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
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 less floral.
Madiran
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Mavrud
Mavrud scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
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 fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chilean Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and stiller.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and sweeter.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and sweeter.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and sweeter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
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 fruit-driven.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbaresco
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less spicy.
Chilean Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more herbal and green.
Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more herbal and green.
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 more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
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 more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Uco Valley Malbec
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 fruit-driven.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chilean Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, 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 savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe style Washington Syrah is most often compared to.
Expect: More restrained in fruit, with a longer track record.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Washington Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.
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 more tannic and structured, and less floral.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe style Washington Syrah is most often compared to.
Expect: More restrained in fruit, with a longer track record.
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 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.
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 more tannic and structured, and softer and rounder.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe style Washington Syrah is most often compared to.
Expect: More restrained in fruit, with a longer track record.
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 more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 more tannic and structured, 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
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 fruitier.
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 fruitier.
Barossa Shiraz
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less floral.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
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 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 less floral.
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.