10 Best Syrah Wines Under $30 (2023)

Syrah or Shiraz: The Grape Variety With the Two Names

Syrah originated in the northern Rhône region of France. The wine there is dynamic, bold, peppery, and juicy. That said, even though Syrah comes from France, it is in Australia that it has become one of the most popular wines. In Australia, Syrah has developed a unique character and had a name change. Down-Under it is known as Shiraz. Shiraz is considered a different wine from Syrah as it has stronger characteristics.

Generally, Syrah is floral when young. As it ages, it develops pepper aromas and touches of tomato, asparagus, and mint. On top of this, Syrahs showcase flavors of leather, smoke, tobacco, cinnamon spice, and blackcurrants. Sometimes, you can also taste licorice, and these wines are used as blending partners to add tannins, color, and flavor concentration to lighter red blends. It is often blended with Cinsaut, Carignan, Grenache, and Mourvèdre (Monastrell).

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A New Home Across the Atlantic Ocean

As mentioned above, besides the Rhône, Syrah has found new homes around the world in such places as Australia and the USA. At the same time, Syrah also grows extensively in Chile and Argentina. And depending on the side of the Andean peaks, Syrah is produced, again, in a different, distinct style. Finally, Syrah has also found success in New Zealand, South Africa, and China.

Syrah or Shiraz gives a variety of wines, from fruity and straightforward to highly concentrated ones with ample oakiness. As such, the Syrah quality and price varies. That said, a great price point for Syrah is $30, as it is neither too expensive nor cheap to sacrifice complexity for more value. So, brace yourself and read on to find the top Syrah wines under $30.

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Best Syrah Wines Under $30

Best Overall

Tasting Notes

Concentrated aromas of dark fruits up front become spicy and warm, as pronounced notes of cinnamon and vanilla surface on the nose. The palate is smooth and rich, packed with velvety tannins that hang around throughout the lengthy finish. As soon as you uncork this bottling, big, dark fruit aromas surface right off the bat, such as blackberries, blackcurrants, prunes, and raisins. Closely followed by concentrated fragrances of violets and thyme, alongside aggressive notes of cinnamon and vanilla.

In the mouth, Babylonstoren Shiraz is plush with a rounded texture and silky tannins that unfold gracefully on the mid-palate and linger through the long and pleasant finish. Expect to taste plums, cherry pit, tobacco, smoke, and chocolate. You can also experience flavors of boysenberry, fig, pepper, and coffee. Some barnyard and underbrush sensations linger, concluding the tasting profile triumphantly.

A Magical Wonderland With a Background of 500 Years

Before anything else, Babylonstoren Wine Estate is a beautiful Cape Dutch wine and fruit farm surrounded by the magnificent Drakenstein valley, where the nomadic Khoisan communities used to roam and live for centuries. In fact, the first vineyards were planted in 1692 in Cape Dutch, over 300 years ago!

In the modern history of Babylonstoren, the first harvest took place in 2011, with Chardonnay being the first vintage. Since then, Babylonstoren has offered wine enthusiasts a complete package of relaxation and wonder amidst pergolas of climbing roses, fruit trees, and thousands of medicinal and edible plants.

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Best Value

Tasting Notes

Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz is fresh, vibrant, brimming with fruits. Aromas of plum, blackberry, and cherry define the nose providing freshness, the mouth has a core of red fruits and a complex mid-palate of cassis and spices. This is a refined and vibrant Shiraz from the prestigious Barossa Valley, offering aromas of plum, boysenberry, blackberry, and cherry, as well as nuances of charcoal, licorice, and mulberry.

The complex and subtle palate is packed with cassis, cherry, cinnamon spice, clove, and raspberry flavors. On top of this, suggestions of blueberries, strawberries, violets, and coffee grace the mid-palate as they drive a tight and focused finish. The tannins are linear without being obtrusive, while the acidity is moderate but offsets the intense fruitiness.

Fine Wines From Famous Barossa Valley

Founded in 1994, Torbreck has been committed to producing exceptional Rhône-style red and white wines, highly expressive of Australia’s renowned Barossa Valley. In addition, Torbreck’s vines were planted back in the 1840s. Many of them were Rhône varieties, such as Shiraz, Grenache, and Mourvédre.

These Old Vines are still capable of giving fruit of exceptionally concentrated flavor and balanced, stimulating acidy. In 2008, the passionate winemakers behind Torbreck completed the bottling line, meaning they could finally achieve total control through 100% estate vinification, maturation, and packaging.

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Best Under $25

Tasting Notes

With a deep ruby-red color, this Syrah opens with fine fragrances of blackberries and baking spices, accompanied by notes of bacon and leather. The mouth shows fine-grained tannins that lead into a mint-influenced finish. On the palate, the wine is lively and proceeds into a long, mint-influenced finish. It is quite possibly the best Syrah under $25.

Scents of cherries, blackberries, honeysuckle, and bacon emerge as you uncork this bottle. Aromas of wood smoke and cinnamon spice follow close on their heels. The palate tastes of plums, coffee, chocolate, and raspberries combined with a refreshing acidity for an irresistible result. Touches of graphite are present, too, mixing with the smooth, fine-grained tannins. There is a lengthy finish with traces of eucalyptus.

Fine Wine From Chile’s Best Winemaker

Casas del Bosque winery is located in Casablanca Valley in Chile. The grapes embrace the perfect climate of the region. The winemaker is Meinard Jan Bloem, who is originally from Holland, found a true home in Chile, where he studied viticulture. Since 2016, he has worked at Casas del Bosque and is considered one of the most talented Chilean winemakers.

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Best From California

Tasting Notes

Klinker Brick Farráh Syrah has plenty of fruit on the bouquet and juicy, bold flavors of dark fruits and exotic spices. The tannins are fine and supple, while the acidity is brisk. At the same time, the finish is woody with great depth.

Aromas of vanilla, pepper, and cinnamon spice, follow scents of cherries, raspberries, and plums. The mouth is well-balanced with tastes of blackberries, prunes, and dried figs. On top of this, the supple tannins are perfect as they offer depth and join hints of nuts, violets, and peaches. The back-palate is defined by touches of sweet tobacco, smoke, and maple syrup.

A Fantastic Lodi Winery

Located within Lodi, Klinker Brick is known for producing great fruit that gives a wine of exceptional complexity. Situated at the edge of the Sacramento Delta, the winery takes full advantage of the Pacific Ocean breezes to cool the vines. The Mediterranean climate helps the winery to grow great varieties, such as Zinfandel, Syrah, and Albariño.

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Best From Chile

Tasting Notes

Deep violet in color with intense aromas of violets, lavenders, and roses, Matetic Corralillo Syrah shows powerful fragrances of dark fruits and baking spices alongside slight oaky notes. Rich in the mouth and palatable, this medium-bodied Chilean Syrah has superb structure and complexity. Another great top-rated Syrah under $30!

Floral aromatics define this wine’s nose, such as violets, lavenders, and roses. However, after a few vigorous swirls, the wine opens into aromatics of plums, blackberries, raspberries, and cinnamon spice, as well as gentle nuances of charred wood and cloves. Medium-to-full-bodied on the palate, flavors of cranberries, prunes, and brambles mingle with traces of cassis and black pepper as the wine sits in the glass. With a tight texture, firm tannins, and refreshing acidity, Matetic Corralillo Syrah concludes with a fresh and long finish.

Committing to Excellency

The Matetic Winery story started in 1999 when the Matetic family decided to diversify their business ventures and join the world of wine. In fact, they believed in the virtues of the soils and climate of the Rosario Valley. So, with a firm conviction to bring in an expert team of winemakers to guide every step of the project, they began producing high-quality wines, expressive of Aconcagua’s distinct locale.

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Best From Australia

Tasting Notes

Rich and dense aromas of plums, raspberries, and blackberries join sweet spices, chocolate hints, and meat qualities on the nose. The medium-to-full-bodied palate displays a touch of coffee and baking spice, finishing with a pepper and woody finish. Scents of Satsuma plums, raspberries, blackberries, and thyme combine with nuances of vanilla spice, chocolate, and game meat.

Rich and sweet in the mouth, the wine shows flavors of figs, brambles, and boysenberries. Suggestions of coffee, cinnamon spice, and ginger mingle with the velvety tannins as the medium acidity balances the fruitiness out. The spicy finish is lengthy and pleasant, packed with lingering sensations of charred wood and sweet tobacco.

Exceptional Shiraz From the World’s Oldest Syrah Vines

Owned by the Lindner family, Langmeil is renowned for its preservation of Old Vines. The family harvest incredibly concentrated fruit from them, which leads to the making of distinguished and highly acclaimed wines. Langmeil has even produced a Syrah made from the world’s oldest surviving Shiraz vineyard.

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Best From Argentina

Tasting Notes

Earthy, with plum and herbal aromas on the nose and a saturated palate of red fruits, figs, and licorice, this Syrah is considered one of Argentina’s best and a very good Syrah under $30, too. Fiery and dynamic, Bressia Monteagrelo Syrah exhibits earthy aromas of soil, underbrush, and forest floor, blended with fragrances of plums, blackberries, mint, thyme, and menthol.

Rich and bold in the mouth, this Syrah has juicy flavors of boysenberries, cherries, mulberries, and raspberries, as well as tastes of licorice, figs, and brambles. Sometimes the wine might feel a bit too syrupy, but it is very approachable and tasty. The acidity is racy, while the tannins are silky and fine-grained. Lingering suggestions of cloves and tobacco grace the finish.

Great Argentine Wine

Bressia is a family-owned winery renowned for producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. The patriarch of the winery is Walter Bressia, who has worked with Argentinian wine firms for over 30 years.

And thanks to his extensive knowledge in viticulture and winemaking skills, Bressia has become one of the best Argentine wine firms. To sum up, Bressia incorporates the concept of Vinos de Autor, which translates to Author’s Wines or personalized great quality wines. The winery has an impressive collection of over 300 oak barrels. Most are of new French or American oak.

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Best From France

Tasting Notes

Spicy and fruity on the nose, with meaty qualities, coffee, ground pepper, and dried herbs, this wine is made for people who appreciate heavy and expressive reds. The palate is medium-bodied and rich and is accompanied by moderate acidity and a lingering, oak-driven finish. Whiffs of pepper, coffee, plums, raspberries, thyme, and sage combine with scents of game meat and barnyard to form the bouquet.

At the same time, some traces of violets and lavenders join weak notes of menthol and cloves for additional depth. Medium-bodied on the palate, this plush Syrah is characterized by flavors of blackberries, cherries, figs, and brambles. Hints of olive, chocolate, and cocoa blend with the firm, albeit astringent, tannins to deliver a lingering aftertaste, loaded with smoke, tree bark, and vanilla. A moderate acidity offers freshness and balance.

Producing Expressive Wine With Biodynamic Viticulture

Château Maris is the vision of Robert Eden, who immigrated to France over 20 years ago intending to craft wines that reflect the terroir. To make such wines, Château Maris adheres to biodynamic viticulture and organic farming.

He adopts a holistic approach that views the whole vineyard as a living system impacted by its surroundings, including the phases of planets. On top of this, he uses homeopathic preparations instead of chemicals and encourages vitality in the vineyard by introducing live matter into the soil via composting. Finally, the Château Maris cellar is built with hemp blocks and does not contain plastic, chemicals, or paint.

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Best From Italy

Tasting Notes

Aromas of red berries, dark spices, and sea brine surface out of the glass, continuing in the medium-bodied palate of black fruits, sweet tobacco, and ground clove. Drying tannins and brisk acidity provide structure and complexity.Fragrances of cherries, raspberries, cinnamon spice, and sea brine surround the nose as you take the first sip.

Subsequent aromas of chocolate, smoke, and barnyard follow. The palate is delicious, filled with flavors of tobacco, clove, and blackberries. Sensations of oregano, mint, and pepper add structure, together with the drying tannins and sharp acidity. The finish is moderate and shows yeasty notes.

Sicilian Winemaking Perfection

Situated in Sicily, Tenuta Rapitalà is made of 28 acres of vineyards. The grapevines are planted in hills at an altitude of up to 300 meters high, where sand and clay merge. This aspect and the special soil composition make this environment ideal for the cultivation of fine grape varieties. The name of the winery is inspired by the local river which runs through the wine estate.

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Best From Spain

Tasting Notes

Chocolate, coffee, and red berry aromas emerge as the bottle is uncorked. Lively, with brisk acidity and fine-grained tannins, Borsao Bodegas Zarihs Syrah has flavors of blackcurrants, grapes, and plums on the palate, with spice notes and some heat.

Aromatic and inviting, the wine begins its journey to the taste buds with fragrances of cherries, raspberries, chocolate, and coffee. Once there, a lively acidity emerges, joining flavors of blackberries, currants, grapes, plums, and prunes. The smooth tannins provide the needed depth, as tastes of cinnamon spice, pepper, and ginger contribute heat. Traces of cloves, smoke, and tobacco shape the lengthy finish amidst a core of game meat and barnyard notes.

Bodegas Borsao: Producing Phenomenal Quality Wines

Located in the renowned Campo de Borja, Bodegas Borsao began as a cooperate winery in 1958. Years later, in 2001, the cooperatives Tabuenca and Ponzuelo joined Borja to form Bodegas Borsao, bringing new prestige to the winemaking efforts and practices of the wine group. Bodegas Borsao aims to establish its wines as the benchmark for premium red wines of the world. This is the best Syrah wine under $30 for many.

Conclusion

Finding the best Syrah is something more than a mere challenge. It requires extensive knowledge and passion for wine, as well as dedication. In today’s fast-paced age, having time to go outside and actively search for the best Syrahs under $30 is a rare privilege. That said, trusting us, wine pros, and choosing any of the above Syrah wines guarantees an immersive drinking experience. Stop asking what is the best Syrah under $30. Just pick any of the above bottlings for the best Syrah experience.