If you like this, try…
Wines like Cabernet Sauvignon
The world’s most planted red wine grape: thick-skinned, tannic and blackcurrant-scented, and the backbone of Bordeaux’s left bank. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Cabernet Sauvignon?
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
- The firm, grippy structure
- High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
- The vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- 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 herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- The spice
- Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something keeping how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too drying or too tannic and too green or grassy.
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.
Merlot
curatedThey are the two halves of the Bordeaux blend and share dark fruit, a similar weight and a comparable response to oak.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Syrah
curatedSimilar weight and structure, and both take well to oak and reward ageing.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Malbec
curatedBoth are full-bodied, dark-fruited reds with real weight, and Malbec is a permitted Bordeaux variety.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- 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.
Merlot
curatedThey are the two halves of the Bordeaux blend and share dark fruit, a similar weight and a comparable response to oak.
Expect: Merlot is rounder and plumper, with softer tannin and more plum than blackcurrant.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Syrah
curatedSimilar weight and structure, and both take well to oak and reward ageing.
Expect: Syrah brings black pepper, olive and cured-meat savouriness in place of Cabernet’s cassis and cedar.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Merlot
curatedThey are the two halves of the Bordeaux blend and share dark fruit, a similar weight and a comparable response to oak.
Expect: Merlot is rounder and plumper, with softer tannin and more plum than blackcurrant.
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.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Merlot
curatedThey are the two halves of the Bordeaux blend and share dark fruit, a similar weight and a comparable response to oak.
Expect: Merlot is rounder and plumper, with softer tannin and more plum than blackcurrant.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Tannat
curatedIf the tannic grip is the part you enjoy, Tannat takes it further than almost any other variety.
Expect: Considerably more tannic and less aromatic. Best from Madiran or Uruguay, and best with fatty food.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Priorat
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Merlot
curatedThey are the two halves of the Bordeaux blend and share dark fruit, a similar weight and a comparable response to oak.
Expect: Merlot is rounder and plumper, with softer tannin and more plum than blackcurrant.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Syrah
curatedSimilar weight and structure, and both take well to oak and reward ageing.
Expect: Syrah brings black pepper, olive and cured-meat savouriness in place of Cabernet’s cassis and cedar.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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 more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Vin Doux Naturel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Castelão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Condrieu
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more aromatic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Merlot
curatedThey are the two halves of the Bordeaux blend and share dark fruit, a similar weight and a comparable response to oak.
Expect: Merlot is rounder and plumper, with softer tannin and more plum than blackcurrant.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Malbec
curatedBoth are full-bodied, dark-fruited reds with real weight, and Malbec is a permitted Bordeaux variety.
Expect: Malbec is softer, more velvety and more floral, with less of the herbal edge.
Syrah
curatedSimilar weight and structure, and both take well to oak and reward ageing.
Expect: Syrah brings black pepper, olive and cured-meat savouriness in place of Cabernet’s cassis and cedar.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Syrah
curatedSimilar weight and structure, and both take well to oak and reward ageing.
Expect: Syrah brings black pepper, olive and cured-meat savouriness in place of Cabernet’s cassis and cedar.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Chianti
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more herbal and green.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Chianti
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more herbal and green.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more neutral and subtle.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Merlot
curatedThey are the two halves of the Bordeaux blend and share dark fruit, a similar weight and a comparable response to oak.
Expect: Merlot is rounder and plumper, with softer tannin and more plum than blackcurrant.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
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.