Chapter 2 of 4

Regional styles

It depends which face you meet. Across both styles, expect a deep, often purple-edged color and a core of black fruit — blackberry, plum, black cherry — with Syrah's signature lift of black pepper and spice. The warm-climate versions push toward ripe, jammy fruit, creamy texture and an easygoing finish. The high-altitude versions trade some of that plushness for tension: brighter acidity, firmer structure, and savory notes of violet, licorice, wet earth and smoky, meaty “bacon fat” that are the grape's calling card in cooler sites.

Regional styles
Up next, Chapter 3 of 4 Syrah is one of the great food reds, and Argentina makes the case loudly. Read Chapter 3: Pairings →