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 the herbal, green edge, while moving away from too light or thin, too perfumed and too green or grassy.
- You said you like the herbal, green edge and that it is too green or grassy. Both are about herbal / green character, 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.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
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 the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
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 the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
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 the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
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 lighter, and spicier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Tibouren
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and green.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Cinsault
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Beaujolais
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
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
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 lighter, and spicier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Barbera
Barbera scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
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 riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
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 lighter, and spicier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and green.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and stronger and warmer.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
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 riper and less green, and lighter.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and more oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Vin Doux Naturel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
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.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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 lighter, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
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 lighter, and spicier.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Négrette
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Cabernet Franc across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
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 lighter, and less floral.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
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 lighter, and less floral.
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 lighter, and more savoury.
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 lighter, and spicier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and stronger and warmer.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
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.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
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 lighter, and less floral.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and green.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
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 lighter, and softer and rounder.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
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 riper and less green, 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.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
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 lighter, and spicier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
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 lighter, and less floral.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
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 lighter, and less floral.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 lighter, 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 lighter, and spicier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and stronger and warmer.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.