Every year on 16 February we celebrate Syrah – a black grape variety which produces some of the darkest, punchiest and most age-worthy wines. Also known as Shiraz it originates from the Rhône region in France, but has become a true international varietal, flourishing in vineyards around the world.
To its roots, in the northern Rhône’s appellations like Côte Rôtie and Hermitage, Syrah produces complex, full-bodied wines bursting with red and black fruits, violets, pepper and savoury meatiness.
In the south to appellations including famed Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Syrah is most often blended, adding colour, tannin, spice and complexity to these traditional GSM (Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre) blends. South again to neighbouring Languedoc-Roussillon, varietal and blended Syrah wines are worth exploring for a riper style.
Scroll down to discover 15 top-scoring Shyrah wines from DWWA 2025
Its international appeal, global reputation and adaptability across diverse climates is underscored further by top Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025 results with awarded wines from Brazil, Chile and South Africa.
If you’re drawn to the chocolatey, jammy, peppery richness of a Shyrah, the examples below are sure to impress.
To celebrate International Syrah Day, we highlight 15 awarded wines from DWWA which are well worth seeking out. Discover more award-winning wines at awards.decanter.com →
15 Syrah wines to explore
Best in Show
Château La Borie, Côtes du Rhône Villages Suze-la-Rousse, Rhône, France 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
Côtes du Rhône-Villages + village name red wines have only won three placings down the years in our Best in Show picks – and this is the second time that Suze-La-Rousse has featured. (Plan de Dieu was the third.) Does that indicate some terroir distinction that may eventually find Suze-la-Rousse winning cru status, as seven of its peers have done over the last half century? Let’s see. What’s for sure is that this Syrah varietal wine (there’s just a dash of Grenache) is an outstanding find: dense black-red in colour, with magnificently lifted, bacon-sizzling aromas that wouldn’t look out of place after a hot summer in Cornas. The additional aromatic note of orange blossom and peel, though, suggests southern origins. It’s grandiose on the palate: mouth-filling and exuberant, lavish and rich, with shovefuls of sweet, tender fruit to enjoy – very definitely a southerner here. Look out for those orange fragrances cascading gratifyingly through the palate, too. Alcohol 14%
Brazil
Maria Maria, Isabela 2023
Gold, 96 points
Myriad strawberries, cherries, cloves and aniseed with an intrigue of leather and charcuterie. Astonishingly fresh and alert with a sweet spicy persistence at the end. Alc 14.6%
Chile
Cono Sur, Single Vineyard Nº25 La Palma, San Antonio 2021
Gold, 95 points
Smouldering black pepper, dark forest fruit and an awesome charcuterie character enhances the voluminous structure. Mouth-watering and meaty with a generous smokiness at the end. Alc 14.5%
Viña Casa Solís, Reserva La Piqueta, Colchagua 2024
Gold, 95 points
Keen florals and juicy blue plums with a charge of peppery spice enveloping the wonderfully approachable structure and lively tannins. Full of potential and excitement. Alc 13.5%
Croatia
Hvar Hills Winery, Srednja i Južna Dalmacija, Coastal 2022
Gold, 95 points
Capacious damson, blueberry and blackcurrant fruit enveloped in a plush velvet structure, pencil shaving tannins and vibrant lift of pepper. Ambitious and immersive with a long finish. Alc 14.5%
France
Château Maris, Les Amandiers, Minervois La Livinière, Languedoc-Roussillon 2019
Gold, 95 points
Awesome bilberry, blueberry and lavender notes punctuate the fine cedarwood texture and supple tannins, with a smoky clove element that funnels towards the lengthy ending. Alc 14.5%
Delas, Les Bessards, Hermitage, Rhône 2022
Gold, 95 points
Wow! A multi-layered magnetism of black pepper, plum and rose petal with a lure of mineral power leading to the dense, concentrated palate. Long and complex. Alc 14%
Domaine de Boisseyt, Les Garipelées, Saint-Joseph, Rhône 2023
Gold, 95 points
Alluring youthful notes of blueberry, raspberry and lilac; full-bodied and smooth with clear cut tannins, a precise juicy acidity and long savoury finish. Fantastic potential. Alc 13.5%
Les Vignobles Foncalieu, Via Nostrum, Minervois, Languedoc-Roussillon 2021
Value Gold, 95 points
Smoothly textured and polished emphasising the ornate black fruit and garrigue herb profile that parades over the strident tannins and acidity. Full of charm and distinction. Alc 14%
Roland Grangier, Côte Granits, Saint-Joseph 2023
Gold, 95 points
Impeccably defined Mediterranean character, exhibiting blackcurrant, violet petal and smoky bacon aromas which punctuate the silky texture, svelte tannins and refreshing acidity on the finish. Alc 13%
New Zealand
Church Road, 1 Single Vineyard Redstone, Bridge Pa, Hawke’s Bay 2021
Gold, 95 points
Indulgent blackberry and mulberry jam with pink peppercorn and sun dried kalamata olive inflections. Bright and poised with a sheen of plush tannin and a delicate acid line. Alc 13.5%
South Africa
Kleinood, Tamboerskloof, Stellenbosch 2021
Gold, 95 points
An attractive marriage between sweet fruit and savoury: espresso coffee and spicy meat greets succulent rhubarb and damsons over a creamy texture with a lush chocolate finish. Alc 13.5%
Spain
Vinicolas Reunidas, Sot Neral, Costers del Segre 2024
Value Gold, 95 points
Overspilling with youthful energy! Floral notes combine with blueberries, black cherries and black pepper, all of which melt into the sweet tannins, tender acidity and fleshy fruit grip. Alc 14%
United States
Samā Cellars, Bhūmi Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Washington State 2022
Gold, 95 points
Abounding plums, blackberries and raspberries with herbaceous and violet nuances coupled with vibrant acidity and finely-tuned tobacco tannins. Textured and meaty with a long, harmonious finish. Alc 13.6%
Watermill, Hallowed Stones, Oregon 2021
Gold, 95 points
Spilling over with violet florals, ripe blueberries and plums which engage seamlessly with the smoked meat and black olive core. Generous and open with a peppery finish. Alc 13.9%
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