The northern Rhône's great red (or black almost!) grape. Despite its continued popularity all over the wine growing world, its heart lies in such wines as Hermitage, Cornas and Côte Rotie. The best examples can age for many years (indeed many have to age) and have extraordinary depth, structure and concentration. In contrast to the Rhône style of violets, tar and tobacco character, most New World Syrah or Shiraz (particularly in Australia) is big, richly fruited and spicy with hints of sweet oak. Despite this the greatest new World Shiraz/Syrah (such as Penfold's Grange) ages as well as the Rhône's finest.