Syrah / Shiraz

Northern Rhône's peppery flagship; Australia's Shiraz powerhouse.

Syrah is the same grape as Shiraz — French label, Australian label. Northern Rhône Syrah from Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie is the historic benchmark: medium-bodied, peppery from the rotundone compound, with smoked-meat and violet notes. Australian Shiraz, especially from the Barossa, runs riper, denser, and higher in alcohol, with blackberry jam and licorice. Cool-climate New World versions (Sonoma Coast, Walla Walla) split the difference. The grape blends naturally with Grenache and Mourvèdre in the Southern Rhône GSM template.