Syrah is one of the ultimate terroir hunting grapes, and has made a home in several distinctive terroirs in South America. As we celebrate Syrah Day this 16th February, we wanted to bring you the ultimate guide to Syrah in South America and the best wines to try from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Brazil.
Ever since its introduction into the continent over a hundred years ago, it has found a home and quite unique expressions in the coastal regions of Chile, the Andes and mountainous wine regions of Argentina and Chile, and also in the coastal wine regions of Uruguay and some new high-altitude expressions in Brazil.
Guide to Syrah in Chile
Hectares planted: 7,400 hectares
Key descriptors
Deep ruby/violet colour. Aromas of black olives, violets, black pepper & cassis. Dry with lively acidity (high), fine, spicy tannins (medium +), and full body.
Chilean Syrah can be incredibly exciting. It comes from widely diverse wine regions, so you can taste cool-coast Syrah with tightrope acidity and meaty, black olive flavours from the likes of Limarí or Leyda, or plush Syrah filled to the brim with juicy black fruit from the warmth of the central valleys such as Apalta, or spicy mountain Syrah from the heights of the Andes in Elqui and Aconcagua. As a variety that really transmits terroir, Syrah in Chile can offer a thrilling journey through its wine regions.
Being incredibly versatile as a variety means that Syrah is widely planted around the different wine regions and, of course, there are some less exciting Syrah wines at the lower end — often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon — but it always offers great value at every price point. An emerging trend of Mediterranean-style blends with Garnacha, Mourvèdre and Petite Sirah is also very exciting. If you taste some of the wines at the top end, you get some wonderfully diverse expressions from the different regions.
See our favourite Chilean Syrah wines below!
Favourite Chilean Syrah producers
Guide to Syrah in Argentina
Hectares planted: 11,797 hectares
Key descriptors
Deep ruby colour. Aromas of forest berries, red plums & chocolate. Dry with fresh (medium -) acidity, ripe (medium +) tannins and medium to full body.
There’s a fair amount of Syrah planted in Argentina and most of it is in the warmer regions of San Martín, Lavalle, Tulum and Chilecito. As Bonarda is also widely planted in these regions, it’s perhaps unsurprising that Syrah is often blended with it. As is often the case with Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. These Syrah wines, in warmer climates, are more akin to Australian Shiraz — full bodied, supple, fruit-driven and sometimes quite jammy. Typical BBQ wine.
But the most exciting Syrah wines of Argentina are actually from the cooler, higher altitude sub-regions of the Uco Valley and San Juan. Here you can get more tension, peppery spice and a refreshing acidity that give them more longevity. Argentine Syrah still needs some work, but there are a few excellent producers that are beginning to show the potential within it. Having tasted some of the older vintages of these top producers too, I can promise they age well!
See our favourite Argentinian Syrah wines below!
Favourite producers
Luca, El Enemigo, La Cayetana, Trapiche (Iscay), Pyros, Finca Las Moras
Guide to Syrah in Brazil
Hectares planted: >1,000 hectares
The potential of Brazilian Syrah is best being explored in Serra da Mantiqueira’s winter harvest wines at high-altitude.
Typically more savoury and spicy with black fruit aromas, reminiscent of a Northern Rhône, there are some really exciting early vintages coming from these high-altitude vineyards.
Read more about Serra da Mantiqueira wine region
Favourite producers
Guide to Syrah in Uruguay
Hectares planted: 53.4 hectares
Uruguay has a handful of exciting Syrah wines to try, although sadly barely any of them leave the country. But do look into the Syrah wines of Pisano, as well as Bracco Bosca. Whether made in traditional oak barrel or in amphora, Uruguayan Syrah can be a nice surprise.
Favourite producers
Terroir Selection: Syrah in South America
MATETIC, Syrah
Rosario & Sto.Tomas / $$$ / Drinking window <20 years
This Syrah is one of my all-time favourites from Chile — a wild ferment, artisanal wine which shows complex and intriguing aromas of smoked jerky, fine leather and crème brûlée. This is a meaty and wild Syrah, with the slow maturation and intensity you can achieve on the coast. The freshness on the finish brings it all together for a spicy finale that lingers for moments on the lips.
VIÑEDOS DE ALCOHUAZ, Rhu
Alcohuaz / $$$ / Drinking window <20 years
One of the grand dames of Elqui, Rhu expresses what is so exciting about high-altitude Elqui: tension, depth, intensity and energy. 82% Syrah, 15% Garnacha and a smidge of Petite Sirah, Rhu spends three years resting in 2,500-litre foudres and the wine is just coming into its own. Wild brush herbs, violets and black fruit are on one side of the coin, while blood and stone are on the other. Fabulous.
TRAPICHE, Iscay Syrah Viognier
Los Árboles / $$$ / Drinking window <15 years
One of the top Syrah wines in Argentina, Iscay has been an iconic wine from Trapiche for many years. Combining the floral freshness you can expect from the Uco Valley, the juiciness from a dash of Viognier in the blend, and the density, dark fruit and spice from Syrah, this is a rich, mouthwatering wine which cellars well.
LUCA, Laborde Double Select
La Consulta, Uco / $$ / Drinking window <15 years
Luis Reginato has been working with these old vines, planted before 1976, in La Consulta ever since Luca’s first vintage there over 20 years ago. Those first vintages are still alive and kicking today, showing just what great potential old vines of Syrah in Argentina can have. This savoury wine ticks all the meaty, peppery and brooding black fruit boxes you could want from a Syrah, and ages like a dream.
LA CAYETANA, Syrah
Los Chacayes, Uco / $$ / Drinking window <15 years
Meaty, dark and filled with tension of fine pencil shavings! This is one of the new classy Syrah wines coming from Mendoza’s Los Chacayes region, and from the sophisticated range of La Cayetana – the family behind Ver Sacrum.
TABALI, Payen
Limari / $$$ / Drinking window <15 years
Coastal Limari makes quite serious and full-bodied Syrah, and Payen is one of the ultimate expressions in the region. Intense but with a freshness and tension, the new vintages are the ones to hunt down. There’s a very savoury focus, unlike some of the more fruity expressions you get further south along the coast.
MONTES, Folly
Apalta / $$$ / Drinking window <20 years
If Aurelio Montes has a folly, it’s certainly not this wine! One of the most serious and smart wines in their extensive portfolio, this intense Syrah is memorable for its deep notes of cassis, plums and spice and its long and aromatic finish. This expressive and polished full-bodied Syrah has become a trademark not only of Montes but of the valley itself.
VILLARD, Tanagra
Casablanca / $$ / Drinking window <15 years
One of the most intense and aromatic of all the Syrah wines, Tanagra is full octane but has a juicy finish and vibrancy that lures you in for another glass. This is the top wine of the Villard estate, and definitely one to try to experience the epitome of Casablanca Syrah.
FINCA LAS MORAS, Gran Syrah
Tulum, Zonda, Pedernal / $$ / Drinking window <10 years
This is one of San Juan’s top Syrah wines. A blend made from grapes from different San Juan terroirs, it shows the generosity and approachability lent by San Juan’s sunny climate underpinned by juicy black fruit aromas, pepper and meaty notes of Syrah. A juicy choripán wouldn’t go amiss with this!
LAPOSTOLLE COLLECTION, Westerly Syrah Casablanca Costa
Casablanca / $$ / Drinking window <20 years
Part of Andrea León’s exciting – but sadly very limited edition – terroir series of Syrah wines, this Casablanca chapter has the elegant fingerprint of the winemaker but also the trademark ripe black fruit and dark spice of Casablanca. A juicy and wild Syrah reflective of this intense coastal region.
SAN PEDRO 1865, Limited Edition Syrah
Elqui / $$ / Drinking window <20 years
Unmistakably Elqui. You could recognise the hot cassis, charcuterie and black olive notes from a mile off. This 100% Syrah spends some time in barrel, which adds complexity with notes of bitter chocolate and sweet spice, and it has a lively finish. An impressive terroir-driven wine from San Pedro 1865 that comes in at excellent value.
CASA VERRONE, Syrah Colheita Especial
Serra da Mantiqueira / $$ / Drinking window <15 years
Casa Verrone Syrah Colheita Especial is the younger line of Syrah from their winter harvest (colheita de inverno) production in the high altitude vineyards of Serra da Mantiqueira. Marcio Verrone is one of the top producers in the Mantiqueira mountains using this special winter harvest technique and this Syrah is a great example of how reversing the harvest season gives you concentrated yet fresh wines.
UNDURRAGA, Terroir Hunter Syrah
Leyda / $$ / Drinking window <15 years
This is a smartly made coastal Syrah with inky concentration, a dense nose of black cherries, black olives and wild herbs and an earthy, meaty finish. Extraordinary value, this wine showcases the potential for Leyda Syrah.
EL PORVENIR DE CAFAYATE, Laborum Single Vineyard
Cafayate, Salta / $$ / Drinking window <15 years
Coming from super high altitude Cafayate, there’s a a wonderful wild floral and herbal note to this aromatic wine. Elegant and expressive, it’s Syrah on the lighter spectrum and one filled with juicy wild forest berry notes.
EL ENEMIGO, Syrah – Viognier
Gualtallary, Uco / $$ / Drinking window <15 years
Alejandro Vigil does most things very well, and his Syrah is no exception. With the addition of Viognier giving it hints of flowers and a juicy finish, this is Gualtallary’s ode to the Northern Rhone! Not a showy wine, but an inviting and comforting one. Also a wine that ages wonderfully.
CASAS DEL BOSQUE, Pequenas Produciones Syrah
Casablanca / $$ / Drinking window <10 years
Filled with flamboyant cassis and berry notes, this has all the richness of fruit you can come to expect from Casablanca as well as the balanced fresh acidity and spicy peppery finish. Top value from Casas del Bosque!
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