New Jersey Syrah

Syrah is a very interesting grape. Also called Shiraz (in Australia and a few other parts of the world), it is a classic vinifera grape originating in the Northern Rhone region of France. Some winemakers who want to make wine in the New World Style (like Australia) may also call it Shiraz. The New World Version is more fruit-forward than the French version. Either way, the grape is black and the wine made from the grape tends to be an opaque purple-black. Often, Syrah offers a slight spice quality that most fans agree pairs well with grilled meats and vegetables.

In New Jersey, Syrah has been grown and produced successfully by several wineries. In my opinion, the New Jersey wines I have tasted may fall within the sweet spot, somewhere between the French and the Australian and Californian versions, with wines less tart than some French Syrah, but not as jammy as some Australian Shiraz. I will share those that I have tasted recently (in the past three to six months) that are estate-grown and that have won awards or, in my opinion, are deserving of awards/mention. Those pictured above are those that I presently have in my cellar. From left to right: Working Dog Winery, Unionville Vineyards, Hawk Haven Vineyards, William Heritage Winery and Old York Cellars.

Three Syrahs that immediately come to mind that fit the category (recently tasted award winners that are estate-grown) are:

• Unionville Vineyards
• Working Dog Winery
• Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery.

Most recently, Unionville Vineyards 2014 Pheasant Hill Vineyard Syrah received a 91 point score from James Suckling in a competition in Virginia. The Unionville Vineyards Pheasant Hill 2013 Syrah won a Silver Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and received an 88 Point score from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate in 2017. It is a full-bodied red that has consistently been one of my favorites at Unionville. Working Dog’s Syrah is a fairly recent addition to my favorites list, another full-bodied, smooth red that is very versatile. It received a 91 point score from James Suckling’s recent competition in Virginia. Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery Signature Series Syrah received a 91 point score from James Suckling at the same competition in Virginia. Their 2015 Syrah also won a Silver Medal at the 2017 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. I finally got to taste this one this weekend. It was also an excellent full-bodied Syrah, that I enjoyed very much.

Three others I recently tasted, but which are also very good: Old York Cellars, William Heritage Winery and Tomasello Winery. While all of the Syrahs mentioned here are oaked, they are dominated by the fruit. Old York Cellars and Tomasello Winery’s Syrah may be a little lighter in color and body than the others mentioned, while William Heritage Syrah is a bit more full-bodied and deeper in color. These are also all estate-produced wines. Though I do not believe these three have won awards recently, all three are noteworthy and more than worth a try if you are in their neighborhoods.

What is the future of New Jersey Syrah? It looks pretty bright to me, but Case Syrah Syrah! What will be, will be…It will be in my cellar. Cheers!

My suggestion for a last minute gift (guaranteed for arrival for Christmas, even if you wait until Christmas Eve): The ebook version of New Jersey Uncorked: A Snob-Free Taste of NJ Wine. It is available via the Apple app for iBooks at $12.99. It looks and reads great on any iOS system (Mac, iPad or iPhone). 

Coming Attractions

• Hawk Haven Vineyards & Winery Revisited
• NJ Winery Satellite Tasting Rooms
• My 2018 NJ Wine Highlights

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