Wine Lists

10 Tasmanian shiraz and syrah to try

By J'aime Cardillo

17 Nov, 2024

Here are 10 of the best Tasmanian shiraz and syrah wines.

Best Tasmanian shiraz and syrah

Tasmania is renowned for its world-class chardonnay, pinot noir and sparkling wines, but what about shiraz and syrah? The region's cool climate, paired with plenty of sun, makes Tassie ideal for producing shiraz/syrah with notes of black cherry, raspberry, plum, violets, along with hints of white pepper and spice. Due to being a cooler region, you'll often taste shiraz/syrah with herbal characteristics like black tea. The expressions that come from Australia's southernmost state are typically lower in alcohol than those that come from some of our favourite shiraz-dominant regions, which means Tasmanian shiraz/syrah has bright acidity.

While Tasmanian plantings (and production) of shiraz/syrah are still relatively small, there are outstanding options available. Below you'll find 10 Tassie shiraz/syrah wines to try – each has been rated between 94 and 96 points by Tasting Team member Dave Brookes.

Starting with Haddow + Dineen's 2022 Crows Descended Shiraz, which comes from fruit produced in one of the oldest vineyards in the Tamar Valley. Dave calls it a "cracker". Also a 96-point wine is Ossa's 2023 Syrah. Ossa is the brainchild of the Fogarty Group's Liam McElhinney (the man behind that Lowestoft La Maison Pinot Noir). It can be cellared until 2038 and is $120.

Visiting Mona? Head into Moorilla Estate and try the 2019 Muse St. Matthias Vineyard Syrah. Dave says there's "lots to like" about this wine. From the famous Cooinda Vale Vineyard in the Coal River Valley comes Pooley's 95-point 2022 J.R.D. Syrah, and also from the Coal River Valley is Mewstone's 2023 Hughes & Hughes Syrah – it's a steal at $43.


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Image credit: Mewstone.