🍇 Varietal Introduction – Syrah (Shiraz)

Syrah, or Shiraz as it’s known in Australia, is a bold red grape celebrated for its deep color, rich fruit, and peppery spice. Originating from France’s Rhône Valley 🇫🇷, it thrives across the world, adapting beautifully to local climates.

Washington State Syrahs tend to be structured yet balanced, with savory undertones, bright acidity, and classic black fruit and pepper notes.
California Syrahs lean toward lush, fruit-forward profiles — softer, juicier, and often less tannic.
All four wines in this tasting came from Wegmans, priced between $10–$20, representing West Coast Syrahs from Washington and California.

🍷 Wine A – Boom Boom! Syrah (Charles Smith Wines)

Region: Prosser, Washington
Year: 2022
Price: $16.49
Alcohol: 14.0%
Purchase Location: Wegmans
Tasting Notes:
Dark and aromatic, this Syrah showed plum, blackberry, black cherry, and a touch of pepper. The aroma impressed everyone, but the palate leaned fruit-forward and jammy, with limited tannic bite. The flavor didn’t fully match the promise of the nose.
Lynn: 14 – would buy again and take to a neighborhood party 🎉
Scott: 10 – would not buy again 🚫
Krysten: 10 – would not buy again 🚫
Combined Score: 34

🍷 Wine B – Bernard Griffin Syrah

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Year: 2022
Price: $17.99
Alcohol: 14.2%
Purchase Location: Wegmans
Tasting Notes:
A lighter garnet color and a bouquet of roses, violets, and dark cherry. This Syrah offered a balanced, floral, and velvety profile with soft tannins and gentle acidity. Both aroma and flavor showed harmony and depth.
Lynn: 15 – would buy again and take to a party 🥂
Scott: 12 – would buy again for home drinking only 🏠
Krysten: 12 – would buy again for home drinking only 🏠
Combined Score: 39 🏆
Result: 🥇 Winning Wine of the Night – admired for its floral elegance, balanced flavor, and smooth finish.

🍷 Wine C – Columbia Crest Grand Estates Syrah

Region: Patterson, Washington
Year: 2020
Price: $9.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Purchase Location: Wegmans
Tasting Notes:
Almost opaque in color, this wine showed berry and pepper aromas, yet the palate was soft and juicy, leaning Pinot Noir-like in mouthfeel. Light tannins and a shorter finish but an approachable balance made it enjoyable.
Lynn: 13 – would buy again and take to a party 🎈
Scott: 9 – would not buy again 🚫
Krysten: 13 – would buy again and drink at home 🍷
Combined Score: 35
Recognition: 💰 Best Value Syrah – top Washington quality under $10.

🍷 Wine D – Frey Vineyards Organic Syrah

Region: Redwood Valley, California
Year: 2022
Price: $14.98
Alcohol: 13.5%
Purchase Location: Wegmans
Tasting Notes:
Ruby-garnet in color, with earthy, foresty notes — mushroom, red licorice, and candy. The flavor was balanced but mild, lacking strong acidity or tannins. Interesting nose, but softer than the Washington entries.
Lynn: 13 – would buy again and take to a party 🍷
Scott: 10 – would not buy again 🚫
Krysten: 9 – would not buy again 🚫
Combined Score: 32

🏆 Tasting Summary

This Syrah showdown clearly favored Washington State 🍇 — with its wines taking the top three spots and outscoring the California entry.

🥇 Bernard Griffin Syrah (Columbia Valley, 2022) – Winning Wine, thanks to its refined floral nose, balanced body, and smooth, soft tannins that appealed to everyone.
💰 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Syrah (2020) – Best Value, combining solid Washington structure and flavor for under $10.
🌄 Overall insight: Washington’s Syrahs offered superior depth, value, and drinkability compared to the softer, earthier California entry.

Tasting: Syrah from Wegmans