Results of the 2019 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada (The Nationals)

Syrah

Category Overview by Judge Treve Ring

Once again, BC showed its inherent aptitude for Syrah, sweeping the Platinum medals (Note: Platinum medal winners will be announced on July 31st), dominating Golds, and ruling the Silver and Bronze categories. It’s not a fair contest however; the late budding, sun-loving, winter-hating red is naturally suited to the Okanagan and Similkameen, finding suitable homes amongst the rocky soils and ragged cliffs. There are a few pockets of warmth in Ontario where the grape works, but by and large, Syrah (and its twin Shiraz) is a welcome westerner.

(Jump straight to the medal winners.)

This year’s top Syrahs used BC’s sunshine to its advantage, while holding the winemaking (massive heaps of new wood and polish) at bay. The results reflect that numerous single-vineyard, site-specific Syrahs were stars, reflecting the judges’ search for personality and individuality rather than power and impact. Let’s hope this trend continues, allowing the savoury grape to fingerprint itself with the various sub-regions and microclimates in BC.

And the winners are…

Daydreamer 2017 Amelia, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Ursa Major 2016 Syrah Eagle Nest Vineyards , Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Burrowing Owl 2016 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
C.C. Jentsch 2016 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
CedarCreek 2017 Platinum Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Chaberton 2015 Syrah, British Columbia
Corcelettes 2016 Syrah Micro Lot Series, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Maverick 2016 Bush Vine Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mission Hill 2016 Reserve Shiraz, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mission Hill 2016 Terroir Collection No. 23 Crosswinds Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Nk’Mip Cellars 2016 Qwam Qwmt Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Painted Rock 2016 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Pentage 2014 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Quails’ Gate 2016 The Boswell Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Stratus 2014 Syrah , Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Tinhorn Creek 2015 Oldfield Reserve Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Black Swift 2015 Syrah Long Road , Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Blasted Church 2016 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Creekside 2016 Broken Press Syrah Reserve Queenston Road Vineyard, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Creekside 2016 Syrah Iconoclast, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Creekside 2017 Syrah, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Crown & Thieves 2014 Broken Barrel Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Dirty Laundry 2017 Kay’s Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Hillside 2016 Syrah, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Kacaba 2016 Signature Series Reserve Syrah, Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Kacaba 2017 Premium Series Syrah Silver Bridge, Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Kismet 2016 Syrah Reserve, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Le Vieux Pin 2016 Syrah Cuvee Classique, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Le Vieux Pin 2017 Syrah Cuvee Violette, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Moraine 2017 Syrah , Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Mt. Boucherie 2016 Syrah, British Columbia
Rust Wine Co. 2016 Syrah Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Sandhill 2017 Syrah Terroir Driven Wine, British Columbia
Screaming Frenzy 2016 Shiraz, British Columbia
Terravista Vineyards 2016 Syrah, British Columbia

Bartier Bros. 2017 Syrah Cerqueira Vineyard, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Bench 1775 2015 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Black Hills 2016 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Clos du Soleil 2016 Syrah Middle Bench Vineyard, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Fielding 2016 Syrah Lowrey Vineyard, St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan 2015 Grand Reserve Select Shiraz, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Kismet 2017 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Leaning Post 2016 Syrah Keczan Vineyard, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Meldville Wines 2017 Syrah Barrel Select, Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Moon Curser 2017 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Oliver Twist Estate Winery 2014 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Orofino 2017 Syrah Scout Vineyard, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Road 13 2016 Jackpot Syrah, British Columbia
Rust Wine Co. 2016 Syrah Similkameen Valley, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
See Ya Later Ranch 2016 Rover, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Tightrope 2017 Syrah, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Trius 2017 Syrah, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario