If you like this, try…
Wines like Cabernet Franc
Parent of both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and in its own right a lighter, leafier, more floral red. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Cabernet Franc?
Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.
What these words mean
- That it is not too strong
- Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- The herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- How aromatic it is
- Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- The earthy, mineral side
- Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
Looking for something keeping how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too perfumed.
- You said you like how much it smells of, before you even taste it and that it is too perfumed. Both are about aromatic intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Blaufränkisch
curatedA comparably fresh, peppery, medium-bodied red with real structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Mencía
curatedMencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality closely enough that the two were long assumed to be related.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Blaufränkisch
curatedA comparably fresh, peppery, medium-bodied red with real structure.
Expect: Firmer tannin and a darker, more peppery profile.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Mencía
curatedMencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality closely enough that the two were long assumed to be related.
Expect: Slightly riper fruit and a more Mediterranean herbal character.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Schiava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Blaufränkisch
curatedA comparably fresh, peppery, medium-bodied red with real structure.
Expect: Firmer tannin and a darker, more peppery profile.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Southern Rhône blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Languedoc red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stiller.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and stiller.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Frühburgunder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Négrette
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
St Laurent
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Frühburgunder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Piedirosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Southern Rhône blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Mencía
curatedMencía shares the floral red fruit, high acidity and graphite minerality closely enough that the two were long assumed to be related.
Expect: Slightly riper fruit and a more Mediterranean herbal character.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.