Syrah... A World Tour
JANUARY 2026
We are kicking off the new year with the classic varietal – Syrah – as expressed from vineyards in 3 different countries on 3 different continents: France, Washington State, and Australia. All the details are below. Enjoy. We think these wines are perfect for January!
Syrah
One of the great, classic, grape varietals, Syrah is usually a fuller-bodied red (but not always, as you'll soon see...) with lots of dark, fruity, mouth-coaty flavors. It's dry and usually has a peppery note on the finish.
Tales abound regarding the grape's origin in Persia, but DNA testing has concluded that Syrah is from France's Northern Rhône, a cross between the ancient grape Dureza (from the Ardèche region in France) and Mondeuse Blanche (from Savoie in the French Alps). Syrah is grown all over the world today including: France, Italy, Spain, Australia, South Africa, California, Washington State & more.
Difference between Syrah & Shiraz? None. Same grape. Slightly different name depending where in the world you are.
Photo top & above: Chevalier Syrah harvest
2-BOTTLE CLUB
Marlène & Nicolas Chevalier
Northern Rhône, France
Brother/sister team Marlène & Nicolas Chevalier (pictured below) both have training in business and agriculture/viticulture/agri-food production. In addition to their vineyards, they grow apricots.
Historically, they sold all of their grapes to the local co-op in Tain (which their family helped create 100 years before), but in 2009 they began their venture of making their own wines with their 17 hectares of vines (13 Syrah, 2.5 Marsanne, 1.5 Roussanne) located on excellent slopes in Crozes-Hermitage, above the village of Chanos Curson.
Of their wine production, they report: 77% is Syrah, 23% is white (Marsanne & Roussanne) with "100% good mood and 100% respect for the environment". They are certified HVE level 3 (High Environmental Value) for all of their products.
Marlène & Nicolas Chevalier 2024 Crozes-Hermitage • Northern Rhône, France • Reg $34.99 | Mixed Case 27.99
100% Syrah. Intriguing nose: spicy red & black fruit compote. The palate isn’t as rich as the nose. Beautiful black raspberries, blackberries, a little black cherry, then black olives (the classic note from the Northern Rhône) with pepper on the finish. 13% alcohol with a medium-body. Absolutely great wine! Enjoy with roasts, duck, stews, cassoulet, and mushroom dishes. Drink now to 3 years.
Novelty-Hill Januik Winery
Woodinville, Washington
Mike Januik (pictured below with his wife Carolyn in 1979) has been involved in Washington State viticulture and winemaking for four decades. In 1980, Mike sold his wine shop in Ashland, Oregon, to attend winemaking school at UC Davis, moving to Washington State upon graduation. His first crush was in 1984 and by 1990, he was the head winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle. Mike founded Januik Winery in 1999 and in 2000 partnered with Novelty Hill. He has long-term growing agreements with some of the finest vineyards in Washington State, including Stillwater Creek Vineyard (Columbia Valley), where he has been a longtime consultant.
Novelty Hill 2022 Syrah • Columbia Valley, Washington • Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19
100% Syrah. Brooding nose of red & black fruit with black pepper, herbs (sage). Smoother on the mid-palate than the Australian Shiraz (below). Lots of black plums & blackberries, a note of blueberry, with a hint of orange rind acidity on the back palate (means the wine can age a little). The finish has black pepper & earthy notes. 18 months in mostly neutral oak. (Syrah barrels pictured above.) This aging smooths out the wine, but it doesn't taste oaky. We were very pleasantly surprised by this wine. Drink now to 3 years.
3-BOTTLE CLUB
Hither & Yon
McLaren Vale Valley, Australia
Building on the small plot that their parents purchased in 1980, brothers Richard & Malcolm Leask (pictured) have collected a patchwork of vineyard locations throughout the cooler part of McLaren Vale, along the foothills east of the town of McLaren Vale. They concentrate on varietals with "Mediterranean & Iberian origins" with a philosophy of caring for the "whole biodiversity and eco-system of our properties. This includes natural habitat restoration, extensive native species planting, creating healthy corridors for the birds & bees."
Hither & Yon 2021 Shiraz • McLaren Vale, Australia • Reg $29.99 | Mixed Case $23.99
100% Shiraz. Aromas of purple plums, blackberries, with a note of eucalyptus & earthy notes. Medium-bodied with great, orange rind acidity. (Jens: the acidity, OMG.) Palate adds in more blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries. Vibrant, peppery, minty, earthy finish. Just fantastic. Enjoyed with a bison burger. Drink now to 5 years.
Winter vineyards at Domaine Chevalier
A Note from Jens:
Your wine club pickup tasting is usually the 2nd Saturday of the month, but this month because of our annual New Year's break, it's the 3rd Saturday of the month.
The three Syrah/Shiraz in your club could not be more different. Hope you can join us to taste them side-by-side and learn about the nuances of the different growing regions and the local winemaker preferences.
You can also taste the Portalis EXPLORES club wines. January's theme is Carignan blends with both wines coming from the French Mediterranean.
Cheers,
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop
If you are here because you’re curious about our wine clubs: Here’s more general info & online sign-up. You can also peruse the last 12 months of both clubs to get a feel for the themes we pick and the wines we showcase: Portalis EXPLORES (our everyday wine club) & Portalis FLAGSHIP (our signature club).