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All the medal-winners from the Global Syrah Masters 2023
Judging the Global Syrah Masters is a ‘mark the calendar’ event, and each year seems to surpass the previous one in terms of quality and diversity. The 2023 Syrah Masters was no exception, writes Patricia Stefanowicz MW.
Nearly every wine from this competition generates excitement, a confirmation of the distinctive attributes of black-andred fruits and black pepper of this magnificent grape variety. The high number of wines given Master, Gold and Silver accolades is to be celebrated.
Syrah was born, apparently, in the middle reaches of the Rhône valley in the Isère to its parents Mondeuse Blanche from the Haute-Savoie and an obscure variety, Dureza, from the Ardèche, just west of the Rhône. Syrah has Italian links, too, most likely a sibling relationship with Teroldego. Perhaps not totally surprisingly, Syrah also has Pinot Noir as an ancestor, as the latter variety was well known in the Alto Adige for centuries, and has spawned numerous ‘modern’ varieties. Those who regularly taste older Côte-Rôtie wines can be forgiven for mistaking them for mature Côte-de-Nuits Burgundy.
Syrah’s best-known vineyards in France are those of Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage in the northern Rhône valley where the river wends its way from Switzerland and Lac Léman through the Isère valley, and joins up with the Sâone near Lyon to form the powerful Rhône.
Away from France, as is often the case, the Australian Shiraz entries reached soaring heights this year. While keeping succulent blueberry, blackberry, and black pepper, elegance seems to be on the rise, with delicious freshness and supple tannins in exquisite balance with concentrated flavour and integration of slightly less obvious oak. Fine Shiraz can be found everywhere, whether juicy Barossa, refined McLaren Vale, mint-touched Coonawarra or Padthaway, or leathery New South Wales.
If there were a minor gripe, it would be that alcohol levels are creeping ever upwards, occasionally making the wines a bit tiring after a sip or two.
One of the best aspects of Australia is the high quality, even at very affordable price points. The judges found value for money in the under-£10 price bracket. and experienced true joy at £10-15, £15-20, and £20-30. Over £30, the wines are sensational. And, at stratospheric prices, Australian Shiraz wines are collectable items, and should be revered as such. While delicious now, lovers of Australia’s finest Shiraz should not be worried about cellaring these top wines either; 20 years on they are delectable, rich, integrated, and complex.
There were some superb wines from New Zealand, specifically Hawkes Bay near Napier on the North Island, where the likes of Church Road is producing excellent, well-balanced examples.
There were a couple of stand-out wines from unexpected sources. Poplar Grove in the Okanagan in western Canada seems to have developed the right viticulture and winery techniques for Syrah. The wines are elegant, and signal a new region’s capacity for serious Syrah. Back in Europe, Domaine Jean-René Germanier in the Valais is making delectable Syrah on south-facing terraces on the north shore of Lac Léman.
It is worth looking around the globe, however. The judges found some interesting wines from Spain, Turkey, Greece, Chile and South Africa. The judges concluded that Syrah (or Shiraz), are capable of greatness, but not all Syrah wines are great. Some are. But thanks to our taste test, you can go forth and buy with confidence.
Unoaked 100% Syrah
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Medal | |
| Under £10 | |||||
| J. García Carrión | Opera Prima Syrah | Castilla-La Mancha | Spain | NV | Bronze |
| J. García Carrión | Translations Syrah | Jumilla | Spain | NV | Bronze |
| J. García Carrión | Cappo Syrah | Jumilla | Spain | NV | Bronze |
| J. García Carrión | Garland Crest Syrah | Jumilla | Spain | 2022 | Bronze |
| J. García Carrión | Belle Grove Syrah | Jumilla | Spain | 2022 | Bronze |
| J. García Carrión | Castillo San Simon Syrah | Jumilla | Spain | NV | Bronze |
| £10-£15 | |||||
| Asensio Carcelén | Syrah | Jumilla | Spain | 2022 | Silver |
| Bodegas Viña Elena | Pacheco Syrah | Jumilla | Spain | 2022 | Silver |
| Bodegas BSI | Numun Syrah | Jumilla | Spain | 2022 | Bronze |
| £15-£20 | |||||
| Domaine Jean-René Germanier | Syrah AOC Valais | Valais | Switzerland | 2021 | Gold |
| Bodega Foster Lorca | Mauricio Lorca Ópalo Syrah | Mendoza | Argentina | 2021 | Silver |
| Arba Wine | Shirak Arba Shiraz | Almaty | Kazakhstan | 2018 | Silver |
Oaked 100% Syrah
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Medal | |
| Under £10 | |||||
| De Bortoli Wines | Rutherglen Estate Shiraz | Rutherglen | Australia | 2022 | Silver |
| De Bortoli Wines | 17 Trees Shiraz | Heathcote | Australia | 2021 | Silver |
| De Bortoli Wines | Winemaker Selection Shiraz | SE Australia | Australia | 2021 | Bronze |
| De Bortoli Wines | Regional Classic Gundagai Shiraz | Gundagai | Australia | 2019 | Bronze |
| De Bortoli Wines | Deen Vat 8 Shiraz | Heathcote/Hill Top | Australia | 2018 | Bronze |
| Kavaklidere Saraplari | Egeo Syrah | Aegean | Turkey | 2020 | Bronze |
| De Bortoli Wines | The Estate Vineyard Shiraz | Yarra Valley | Australia | 2021 | Bronze |
| De Bortoli Wines | Family Selection Shiraz | Riverina | Australia | 2021 | Bronze |
| £10-£15 | |||||
| Wakefield/Taylors Wines | Taylors Hotelier Shiraz | Padthaway | Australia | 2020 | Master |
| Wakefield/Taylors Wines | Taylors Special Release Shiraz | Clare Valley | Australia | 2021 | Gold |
| Wakefield/Taylors Wines | Wakefield Estate Shiraz | Limestone Coast/Clare Valley | Australia | 2021 | Gold |
| Wakefield/Taylors Wines | Taylors Reserve Parcel Shiraz | Clare Valley | Australia | 2021 | Silver |
| Kavaklidere Saraplari | Pendore Syrah | Aegean | Turkey | 2019 | Silver |
| Château Tanunda | Grand Barossa Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2021 | Silver |
| Viña y Cava Valle Secreto | First Edition Syrah | Cachapoal Valley | Chile | 2021 | Bronze |
| Yedi Bilgeler | Solon Attica | zmir | Turkey | 2021 | Bronze |
| The Last Shepherd | Last Shepherd Syrah | Hawke’s Bay | New Zealand | 2020 | Bronze |
| Bodegas Luzón | Origen de Luzón Syrah | Jumilla | Spain | 2020 | Bronze |
| Bodegas Salzillo | Zenizate Syrah | Jumilla | Spain | 2020 | Bronze |
| Bodegas Borsao | Syrah | Aragon | Spain | 2019 | Bronze |
| £15-£20 | |||||
| Langmeil Winery | Prime Cut Shiraz | Barossa | Australia | 2022 | Gold |
| Penfolds Wines | Koonunga Hill 76 | South Australia | Australia | 2021 | Gold |
| Saronsberg Cellar | Provenance Shiraz | Western Cape | South Africa | 2021 | Gold |
| Viña Cono Sur | Single Vineyard Syrah | San Antonio Valley | Chile | 2020 | Gold |
| Wakefield/Taylors Wines | Taylors Taylor Made Shiraz | Clare Valley | Australia | 2021 | Gold |
| Orlando Wines | Printz Shed Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2021 | Gold |
| Kellermeister | Pious Pioneer Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2021 | Silver |
| Mauricio Lorca for Naked Wines | Mauricio Lorca Reserve Uco Valley Syrah | Mendoza | Argentina | 2020 | Silver |
| Brown Family Wine | p Innocent Bystander Syrah | Yarra Valley | Australia | 2020 | Silver |
| Sutil Wines | Limited Release | Limari | Chile | 2021 | Silver |
| Chaffey Bros. Wine Co | Synonymous Shiraz | Barossa | Australia | 2021 | Silver |
| Viña Cono Sur | 20 Barrels Syrah | Limarí Valley | Chile | 2020 | Silver |
| Golden Amrita Winery | Sunshine Hill Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2021 | Silver |
| Wakefield/Taylors Wines | Wakefield Jaraman Shiraz | Clare Valley/McLaren Vale | Australia | 2021 | Silver |
| Wakefield/Taylors Wines | Taylors Heritage Shiraz | Clare Valley | Australia | 2020 | Silver |
| Wakefield/Taylors Wines | Taylors One Giant Leap Shiraz | Limestone Coast/Clare Valley | Australia | 2020 | Silver |
| Salentein | Pyros Appellation | Valle de Uco | Argentina | 2020 | Silver |
Oaked 100% Syrah continued
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Medal | |
| £20-£30 | |||||
| Viña Morandé | Adventure Tirazis | Casablanca Valley | Chile | 2021 | Gold |
| Dandelion Vineyards | Lioness of McLaren Vale Shiraz | McLaren Vale | Australia | 2021 | Gold |
| Berton Vineyards | The Bonsai | South Australia | Australia | 2020 | Gold |
| Penfolds Wines Pty | Max’s Shiraz | South Australia | Australia | 2021 | Gold |
| Chaffey Bros. Wine Co | Evangeline Syrah | Eden Valley | Australia | 2021 | Silver |
| Yangarra Estate Vineyards | Gatt Wines+B75:B76 | McLaren Vale | Australia | 2020 | Silver |
| Golden Amrita Winery | Lumenval Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2021 | Silver |
| Dandelion Vineyards | Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz | Barossa | Australia | 2021 | Silver |
| Bodegas Y Viñedos Pascual Toso | Pascual Toso Alta Syrah | Mendoza | Argentina | 2022 | Silver |
| Golden Amrita Winery | Lumenval Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2020 | Silver |
| Heirloom Vineyards Wine Co | McLaren Vale Shiraz | McLaren Vale | Australia | 2021 | Silver |
| Quinta do Saião | Vilarissa Valley Grande Reserva Syrah | Duriense | Portugal | 2020 | Silver |
| Heirloom Vineyards Wine Co | Heirloom Barossa Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2021 | Silver |
| De Bortoli Wines | Yarra Valley Single Vineyard Section A8 Syrah | Yarra Valley | Australia | 2019 | Bronze |
| Enate | Syrah | Somontano | Spain | 2018 | Bronze |
| £30-£50 | |||||
| Gatt Wines | High Eden Shiraz | High Eden | Australia | 2019 | Master |
| Orlando Wines | Centenary Hill Barossa Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2015 | Master |
| Kellermeister | Wild Witch Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2021 | Master |
| Golden Amrita Winery | Single Estate Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2021 | Gold |
| Church Road | Church Road 1 Syrah | Hawke’s Bay | New Zealand | 2021 | Gold |
| Penfolds Wines | Bin 28 | South Australia | Australia | 2020 | Gold |
| St Hugo | Single Vineyard Barossa Valley Koch Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2018 | Gold |
| Orlando Wines | Lawson’s Padthaway Shiraz | Padthaway | Australia | 2019 | Gold |
| Gatt Wines | Gatt Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2019 | Gold |
| Golden Amrita Winery | Single Estate Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2020 | Gold |
| St Hugo | Barossa Shiraz | Barossa | Australia | 2021 | Gold |
| Wakefield/Taylors Wines | Wakefield St Andrews Shiraz | Clare Valley | Australia | 2020 | Silver |
| St Hugo | Single Vineyard Barossa Valley Fabal Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2018 | Silver |
| Kellermeister | Black Sash Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2021 | Silver |
| St Hugo | Barossa Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2020 | Silver |
| Jacob’s Creek | Barossa Survivor Vines Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2018 | Silver |
| Chaffey Bros. Wine Co | Elijah Fechner Vineyard Shiraz | Eden Valley | Australia | 2020 | Silver |
| Orlando Wines | Centenary Hill Barossa Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2016 | Silver |
| Saronsberg Cellar | Shiraz | Western Cape | South Africa | 2021 | Bronze |
| St Hugo | Single Vineyard Barossa Valley Koch Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2016 | Bronze |
| Orlando Wines | Lawson’s Padthaway Shiraz | Padthaway | Australia | 2016 | Gold |
| £50-£70 | |||||
| Domaine Jean-René Germanier | Cayas Syrah Réserve | Valais | Switzerland | 2020 | Master |
| Château Tanunda | 50 Year Old Vines Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2020 | Gold |
| Hoosegg by Philip Shaw | Hoosegg Magic Monkey Shiraz 2019 | Orange | Australia | 2019 | Gold |
| Cattleya | Cattleya The Initiation Syrah | Santa Lucia Highlands | United States | 2021 | Gold |
| Hoosegg by Philip Shaw | Hoosegg Magic Monkey | Orange | Australia | 2018 | Silver |
| £70-£100 | |||||
| Wakefield/Taylors Wines | Wakefield The Pioneer Shiraz | Clare Valley | Australia | 2019 | Gold |
| Gatt Wines | Old Vine Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2019 | Silver |
Unoaked Blend (minimum 50% Syrah)
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Medal | |
| Under £10 | |||||
| J. García Carrión | Translations Red Blend | Jumilla | Spain | NV | Bronze |
| Bodegas Ontalba | Dominio de Ontur Syrah, Monastrell & Garnacha | Jumilla | Spain | 2022 | Bronze |
| £10-£15 | |||||
| Domaine Bousquet | Petite Immortelle | Côtes du Roussillon | France | 2021 | Bronze |
| Esencia Wines Cellars | Infiltrado | Jumilla | Spain | 2022 | Bronze |
Oaked Blend (minimum 50% Syrah)
| Winery | Name of wine | Region | Country | Medal | |
| Under £10 | |||||
| De Bortoli Wines | La Boheme Act 4 Syrah Gamay | Yarra Valley | Australia | 2022 | Silver |
| De Bortoli Wines | De Bortoli rutherglen Estate Red Shiraz Durif | Rutherglen | Australia | 2019 | Bronze |
| £10-£15 | |||||
| Berton Vineyards | Metal Label Limited Release Black Shiraz | Mt Lofty, Heathcote & Gundagai | Australia | 2020 | Master |
| £15-£20 | |||||
| Langmeil Winery | Valley Floor Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2020 | Gold |
| Church Road | McDonald Series Syrah | Hawke’s Bay | New Zealand | 2020 | Gold |
| Viñedos Calcu | Tiny Blocks Syrah | Colchagua | Chile | 2020 | Silver |
| £20-£30 | |||||
| Poplar Grove Winery | Syrah | Okanagan | Canada | 2020 | Gold |
| Dandelion Vineyards | Lion’s Tooth of McLaren Vale Shiraz/Riesling | McLaren Vale | Australia | 2021 | Gold |
| Penfolds Wines | Bin 2 | South Australia | Australia | 2020 | Gold |
| Penfolds Wines | Bin 8 | South Australia | Australia | 2020 | Silver |
| Viña Luis Felipe Edwards | LFE900 Mountain Red Blend | Colchagua Valley | Chile | 2018 | Silver |
| £30-£50 | |||||
| Saronsberg Cellar | Full Circle | Western Cape | South Africa | 2021 | Master |
| Alpha Estate | S.M.X. | Florina | Greece | 2020 | Silver |
| Langmeil Winery | Orphan Bank Shiraz | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2020 | Silver |
| Langmeil Winery | Hallowed Ground Shiraz | Barossa | Australia | 2020 | Bronze |
| £50-£70 | |||||
| Jacob’s Creek | Johann Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon | Barossa Valley | Australia | 2018 | Bronze |
| £100+ | |||||
| Dandelion Vineyards | Red Queen of the Eden Valley Shiraz | Eden Valley | Australia | 2021 | Master |
| Bodegas El Nido | La Viña de Corteo | Jumilla | Spain | 2019 | Master |
| Château Tanunda | 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz | Barossa | Australia | 2020 | Gold |
| Kellermeister | The Meister Shiraz | Eden Valley | Australia | 2021 | Gold |
About the competition
With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Syrah Masters provides a chance for your wines to star. The 2023 competition was judged on 7 June at M Restaurant, Canary Wharf, London, employing experienced judges. The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolade – the title of Syrah Master. This report features the medal winners only.
Please visit the Global Masters website for more information, or, to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com
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