Every year on the fourth Thursday of July we celebrate Shiraz – a black grape variety which produces some of the darkest, punchiest and most age-worthy wines. Also known as Syrah it originates from the Rhône region in France, but has become a true international varietal, flourishing in vineyards around the world.
To its roots, in the northern Rhône’s appellations like Côte Rôtie and Hermitage, Syrah produces complex, full-bodied wines bursting with red and black fruits, violets, pepper and savoury meatiness.
In the south to appellations including famed Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Syrah is most often blended, adding colour, tannin, spice and complexity to these traditional GSM (Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre) blends. South again to neighbouring Languedoc-Roussillon, varietal and blended Syrah wines are worth exploring for a riper style.
Scroll down to discover 15 top-scoring Shiraz wines from DWWA 2025
Outside France, Shiraz thrives in the New World with Australia being one of its biggest and most successful producers. Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025 results attest this – Australia claimed two Best in Show, two Platinums and 8 Golds single varietals Shiraz wines, plus more Shiraz dominant wines.
Its international appeal, global reputation and adaptability across diverse climates is underscored further by top DWWA 2025 results with awarded wines from Serbia and South Africa.
If you’re drawn to the chocolatey, jammy, peppery richness of a Shiraz, the examples below are sure to impress.
To celebrate International Shiraz Day, we highlight 15 awarded wines from DWWA which are well worth seeking out. Discover more award-winning wines at awards.decanter.com →
15 Shiraz wines to explore
Australia
Barossa Old Vine Company, Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia 2022
Best in Show, 97 points
The magnetic appeal of Barossa Shiraz has made it a favourite down the years for our Best in Show selection (four appearances as a varietal, plus a role in two winning blends). This darkly coloured 2022 example seduced our judges with its languid but alluring aromatic wealth, depth of flavour, structural seriousness and the softness of its balance – all very different from the opulent, starkly balanced and sometimes over-showy examples most wine lovers will remember. Look out, here, for aromas that (while oaked) suggest underbrush and dry grasses as well as sweet baked plums. The palate is rich, opulent, just a little salty as well as softly fruity; gentle, plump fruit tannins shape that fruit to a greater extent than the admirably understated acidity. You sense, here, a finely stewarded transition from vineyard to bottle, with as little interference as possible – and this vineyard clearly has much to offer. Alcohol 14.5%
Trentham Estate, Reserve Shiraz, Heathcote, Victoria 2023
Best in Show, 97 points
Remarkably, out of the 29 reds from Australia that we’ve found for the Best in Show selections over the last decade, none have yet come from Victoria – so a big welcome to this Shiraz from Heathcote. It’s dark red in colour and very lively in aroma, with lots of red fruits in peppery, spicy style. On the palate, too, the wine is boisterous and fresh, softly balanced and very pure-fruited. Intriguingly, the spice seems to pull back once the wine is in the mouth; with the warmth of the tongue you’ll find compelling floral notes emerge. Grace, charm, poise and freshness, with a deftly folded and gratifyingly discreet tannin-acid balance: the craftsmanship of this wine conveys a strong sense of natural articulation and an unforced celebration of outstanding raw materials. Congratulations to Victoria and to Heathcote, and well done, too, to the team behind this deft and satisfying wine. Alc 14.5%
Cape Mentelle, Heritage Shiraz, Margaret River, Western Australia 2023
Platinum, 97 points
Opulent blueberry, black cherry, damson and violet floral nuance reigns supreme over the plush oak structure with smatterings of coconut and spice. Assertive and compelling with finely woven tannins and an embracing acidity. Long and abiding. Alc 14.1%
Heirloom Vineyards, Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia 2023
Platinum, 97 points
Sumptuous blackberry, raspberry and bramble fruits sink into the palate and linger over the smooth texture. Fulsome and rich with lashings of tannin and spicy oak and a unifying acidity to enrich. Hedonistic and lengthy. Alc 14.5%
John Duval Wines, Eligo, Barossa, South Australia 2021
Gold, 96 points
Hugely concentrated with tiers of prune, plum and raspberry jam shrouded in finely toasted oak and a delectable crunch of blueberry texture lining the palate. Alc 14.5%
Sons of Eden, Romulus Old Vine Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia 2022
Gold, 96 points
An explosion of blackberries, crushed violets, green leafy herbs and plum cake unfurls over the glossy texture and silky tannins with a supple mocha note to end. Alc 14.5%
Centare Vineyard, Old Block Shiraz, Yarra Valley, Victoria 2022
Gold, 95 points
Pristine varietal aromas of blue fruit and black olive tapenade on a bed of sweet spice, with a soft, supple palate and lovely herbal finish. Alc 13.8%
Dandelion Vineyards, Firehawk Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia 2022
Gold, 95 points
Brooding and sultry with a plum, mulberry, blackberry and spiced fruit cake intensity. Full-bodied and generous with alluring tannins, meaty texture and a sweet violet finish. Alc 14.5%
Monteperle, Reserve Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia 2022
Gold, 95 points
A wine of phenomenal texture with brooding savoury bresaola notes offset by waves of ripe cherry, crushed red florals and chocolate. Lustrous and impressively long. Alc 15.2%
Tyrrell’s, Winemaker’s Selection Vat 9 Shiraz, Hunter Valley, New South Wales 2023
Gold, 95 points
Evocative notes of dark berry fruit, violet perfume and peppery spice bustle over the strident tannins and elevating acidity, brimming with mouth-filling texture and length. Alc 13.5%
Wirra Wirra, Catapult Organic Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia 2023
Silver, 94 points
Herbaceous nose with aromas of savoury plummy fruit. Full bodied and ample, with loads of fruit. Perfect ripeness and balanced tannins. Alc 14.5%
Serbia
Erdevik, Stifler’s Mom Shiraz, Fruška Gora, Srem 2020
Silver, 94 points
Ripe, well rounded fruit with peppery red berries, mocha and spicy oak undertones. Full bodied, intense and elegant, loads of depth. Alc 15.5%
South Africa
Hartenberg Wine Estate, Shiraz, Stellenbosch 2021
Gold, 95 points
A regal perfume of herbs and florals flutters over the rumbling fresh berries. Silky smooth and luxurious with a gentle acidity and long cedary finish. Alc 14%
Saronsberg Cellar, Shiraz, Tulbagh 2023
Silver, 94 points
Rose buds and violets over cedar and blueberry, underpinned by toasty coffee spice, flowing into refined tannins and elegant length. Alc 14.7%
Spier, Seaward Shiraz, Coastal Region 2023
Silver, 94 points
Toasted coconut and hedgerow fruits accent dark plum, fig and blackcurrant pastille, underpinned by coffee spice, silky succulence and light tannins. Alc 14%
