Tom' the bacon fat thing in Syrah is a feature of the grape, and can be found in innumerable cllimate and terroir situations. Trust me on this
Well, Steve....I was thinking more Calif here and the most common characteristic I find in Calif cool-climate Syrah is cracked black pepper. I only occasionally find the bacon fat but it seems to me to be a combination of climate & oak treatment.
But what would I know...I only done did follow Calif Syrah from the very start!!! :-)
Tom