Echelon Syrah Versus Peter Lehmann Shiraz

For those that don’t know, the Shiraz is just the Australian word for Syrah. I thought it would a fun idea to pit these two well know wines against each other while paired with a syrah smothered steak.

We used a savory recipe meant for a port but wisely substituted for a soft but sweet Echelon Syrah. You would think the San Luis Obispo made Echelon would have the advantage being paired with a sauce of it’s kind, however the results were conclusive. The Australian Shiraz gave a much more enriching flavor and experience.

The 2002 Clarksburg Echelon Syrah was sweet with plum and blackberry but relatively thin. It just couldn’t stand up to the steak. My wife liked the sweetness and claimed it would have been a better test with a pork loin. I would give it a 7.5 on the Griffin Scale for taste (when pair appropriately). A 7 on the scale for value. This bottle can be found for as low as $6 and is a good addition at that price.

The 2003 Lehmann Shiraz was far more robust and had a thick oak base with a chocolate background. The finish was long yet lacked the normal spices associated with a cab or a syrah. It really lets you enjoy the full extent of your steak. I give it an 8.5 on the Griffin Scale for taste and an 7 for value. A superior vintage for 2002 can be found here:
Peter Lehmann 2002 Shiraz