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

Oaked 100% Syrah

Oaked 100% Syrah continued

Unoaked Blend (minimum 50% Syrah)

Oaked Blend (minimum 50% Syrah)

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