Competition was fierce in the Syrah/Shiraz category. Winning 11% of all golds in the Decanter World Wine Awards, the highest scoring, lowest priced Syrah title was always going to be a tough battle.
South Australian producer Bird in Hand’s Two in the Bush Shiraz 2009 came away with the accolade. Costing less than ten pounds (£9.99), the Mount Lofty Ranges wine pipped New Zealand’s Elephant Hill Syrah 2009 (£20.99) to the best value title.
Regional trophy winners from Chile took the third and fourth spot when it came to high scoring wines representing value for money. Mayu’s Syrah Reserva 2008 from the remote Elqui Valley, costs as little as £8.97, and impressed the judges. Fellow Chilean producer Tamaya’s Syrah Reserva 2009 also scored highly and costs a mere £10.
The 2011 DWWA top five value for money Syrahs were almost devoid of French representation but the judges top Rhone red over £10, Domaine Michelas Saint Jemms, Saint Epine, St Joseph 2009, at £20 managed to spoil the new world’s party.
Written by decanter.com staff
