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Wines like Washington Syrah

A distinctive American Syrah: savoury, smoky and often startlingly close to the northern Rhône in character. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Washington Syrah?

Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.

I like…

The firm, grippy structure The spice The earthy, mineral side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too peppery too floral or soapy too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

Clear all

What these words mean

The firm, grippy structure: High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
The vanilla and oak: Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
The spice: Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
The floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
The earthy, mineral side: Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
The savoury, meaty side: Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.

Looking for something keeping the peppery, spicy character and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too oaky or woody and too savoury or funky.

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.

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.

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.

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

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.

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less oaky or woody.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Southern Rhône blend

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

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.
A little less savoury or funky.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less oaky or woody.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Nero di Troia

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

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
A little less savoury or funky.

Saperavi

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Languedoc red

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

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less oaky or woody.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 savoury, and spicier.

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 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 less tannic and softer, and spicier.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Nero di Troia

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

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

Saperavi

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

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

Valais Cornalin

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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 restrained in fruit.

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.

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dolcetto

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

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

Prokupac

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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 savoury, and spicier.

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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 less tannic and softer, and more oaky.

Southern Rhône blend

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Rhône blend

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

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 more oaky.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Saperavi

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

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

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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 more savoury, and spicier.

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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

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

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 less tannic and softer, and more oaky.

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 less tannic and softer.

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Vintage Port

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

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

Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and sweeter.

Ruby Port

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

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.

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 savoury, and spicier.

Nero di Troia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Southern Rhône blend

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Barossa Shiraz

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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 more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Malbec

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

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more tannic and structured.

Barolo

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Barbaresco

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

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 oaky, and more aromatic.

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 savoury, and spicier.

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 oaky, 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 less tannic and softer, and spicier.

Similar but more floral

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

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 less tannic and softer, and more oaky.

Australian Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.

Similar but less floral

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

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 savoury, and spicier.

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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 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 less tannic and softer, and spicier.

Similar but more savoury

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The style Washington Syrah is most often compared to.

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

Barolo

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Taurasi

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Brunello di Montalcino

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from syrah, and 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 oaky, 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 less tannic and softer, and more oaky.

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, 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.

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 savoury, and spicier.

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 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 less tannic and softer, and spicier.

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 savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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 savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

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 oaky, and fuller and richer.

Montsant

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

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

Australian Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Barossa 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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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.

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 savoury, and spicier.

Southern Rhône blend

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

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

Malbec

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 oaky, 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 savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Nero di Troia

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

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 oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 oaky, 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 savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Nero di Troia

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

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 savoury, and more oaky.

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 more savoury.

Ribera del Duero

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 savoury.

How these are chosen

Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.