My old buddy used to have a radio show on wine, lived all over the world and had several restaurants. Shiraz is the Austrailian verson of Syrah, many prefer Shiraz, he does but will enjoy either. He suggests Fox Creek (mid $20's), Yellow Tail at half the price, no particular year seems to be better with a slight nod to 2011. There are much pricier one's but taste is spotty at best and not worth the expense to find a good one. Wines from the Barossa Valley area are considered better than most. There are a few South African versions that have a distinctive berry flavor many like, all have some peppery tones that vary. That is my lesson for today, I personally am a whiskey person, Wild Turkey Rare Breed-two fingers neat in a bucket with a side of bottled water.

If you like dry red wines then the cabernets r going to be best choice.

While I enjoy a good Merlot, I’ve recently migrated to a good Pinot Noir. Can’t recomment a vineyard... but... I can recommend you try it. You might be pleasantly surprised...

Most Sarah and shiraz are names confuse I always believe. Because when I have wine tasting at the house, they used bring those even after I would tell them that I never tasted one I liked.
And eventually they gave up. I brought my first red drys back from France, after you try European wines, it's hard drink other.

Reservas, Chianti, Sangiovese, bordeau.
Those are real wines of the red medium dry

Reservas, Chianti, Sangiovese, bordeau.
Those are real wines of the red medium dry

Ones the murderous dictator of the one that Trump is Bombing???...

Thank you all for your most insightful input! I never expected such a good response. I want to let you know that I bought a bottle of Syrah yesterday and have tried it. It may just be this label, but I think I prefer Cabernet. I was disappointed in the strong peppery note in the Syrah, and it didn't seem to have as many nuances of flavor as some Cabs I've had. But then again, I don't have a very developed or discerning palate, so it could just be that I'm missing some of its charm.

There all disgusting lol

Ok first of all I don't like to compare varietals. You can compare what regions of the world they come from and what climates they get grown in but beyond that it gets into how a grape is grown at a particular vintner and how the cellaring proceess and malolactic is done, what kind of barrels are used, what the tannins are in the end product, how much alcohol is in the bottle, residual sugars, acid and mouth feel. Just taste the fucking thing.

It's worth a try.. new Zealand and Australian brands are dominant, and they are fine and priced reasonably . I may go out and buy as bottle today.. haven't had that flavor for awhile..
Enjoy !

Oh man, wine tasting is such a subjective thing. I live in an area (in Cali) that produces a lot of Zinfandel, some Cab, Pino Noir, Viognier, Tempranillo, and a few others. I don't have much experience with Shiraz or Syrah, but recall them to be drier than I prefer. My suggestion is to start experimenting. =] You could host a wine party and maybe create a list of locally available versions of these varietals so you don't get too many duplications. That would be a fun event.

I would recommend you try one. If you like it, great. If not, try another. If you still don't like it, you can probably be assured you won't like any others.

Very good question. If you buy @AKFishlady and myself a bottle of Syrah, Shiraz, Cabernet and Merlot, we'll sample them all and make a comparison then get back to you with our tasting notes. Actually, just to be on the safe side and ensure you're getting properly-researched data, it might be best to buy cases rather than individual bottles.

It's worth a try.. new Zealand and Australian brands are dominant, and they are fine and priced reasonably . I may go out and buy as bottle today.. haven't had that flavor for awhile..
I wish I was close enough to share a bottle with you !
Enjoy !

I do not know much about wines, but I believe that shiraz is a sweeter wine.

Oh dear, taste is so individual. Buy one bottle each. Line them up and take one sip each. Give each a rating by which one you like best. Then finish the bottles. After the third round, you will not care anymore, but hopefully you will have written down which one you like best,.

I like Shiraz, it has a little bit of a spicy flavor. I actually get the Trader Joe's brand. It's very economical (cheap) but perfectly good.