Syrah is an interesting grape, wholly unique compared to other red varieties, while at the same time being unique compared to itself when grown in different regions and climates. Northern Rhône Syrah can be rustic, with firm tannins, smokey/gamey qualities and pungent black pepper in Côte-Rôtie or almost aristocratic in Hermitage. Shiraz from Australia can be defined by its more velvet texture along with its rich fruit-forward blackberries and black cherries, and also South Africa's Swartland produces its own age-worthy wonder.