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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.

← Back to Cabernet Sauvignon

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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.

I like…

The firm, grippy structure How aromatic it is

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too green or grassy too perfumed too peppery too austere

Clear all

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, too peppery and too austere.

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.

Tinta Barroca

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 drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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 drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.

Tinta Negra

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 peppery.
Substantially less austere.

Cabernet Franc

curated

Cabernet Franc is one of Cabernet Sauvignon’s parents and shares its leafy, graphite-tinged aromatics.

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

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 peppery.
Substantially less austere.

Merlot

curated

They 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 peppery.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

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 peppery.
Substantially less austere.

Corvinone

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 peppery.
Substantially less austere.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Tinta Barroca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.

Cabernet Franc

curated

Cabernet Franc is one of Cabernet Sauvignon’s parents and shares its leafy, graphite-tinged aromatics.

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid, more red-fruited and floral, with much softer tannin.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Tinta Barroca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

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.

Cabernet Franc

curated

Cabernet Franc is one of Cabernet Sauvignon’s parents and shares its leafy, graphite-tinged aromatics.

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid, more red-fruited and floral, with much softer tannin.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Grolleau

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Cabernet Franc

curated

Cabernet Franc is one of Cabernet Sauvignon’s parents and shares its leafy, graphite-tinged aromatics.

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid, more red-fruited and floral, with much softer tannin.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Argentine Malbec

Argentine Malbec scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Alicante Bouschet

Alicante Bouschet scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Tinta Barroca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Merlot

curated

They 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 drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Cabernet Franc

curated

Cabernet Franc is one of Cabernet Sauvignon’s parents and shares its leafy, graphite-tinged aromatics.

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid, more red-fruited and floral, with much softer tannin.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Sagrantino

Sagrantino scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.

Tannat

curated

If 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.

Montefalco Sagrantino

Montefalco Sagrantino scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.

Touriga Nacional

Touriga Nacional scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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.

Chianti

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Barbera d’Asti

Barbera d’Asti scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Barbera d’Alba

Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Tinta Barroca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Merlot

curated

They 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 drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

English sparkling rosé

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Tinta Barroca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Tinta Negra

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.

Touriga Franca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.

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.

Tinta Barroca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.

Corvinone

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

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 drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Barbaresco

Barbaresco scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.

Barolo

Barolo scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.

Scheurebe

Scheurebe scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

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 drier.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Cabernet Franc

curated

Cabernet Franc is one of Cabernet Sauvignon’s parents and shares its leafy, graphite-tinged aromatics.

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid, more red-fruited and floral, with much softer tannin.

Gamay

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Dornfelder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Chianti

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Chianti Classico

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

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 drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.

Barbera d’Alba

Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

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 drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Chianti

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Chianti

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Chianti Classico

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Bolgheri

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Cabernet Franc

curated

Cabernet Franc is one of Cabernet Sauvignon’s parents and shares its leafy, graphite-tinged aromatics.

Expect: Lighter, higher in acid, more red-fruited and floral, with much softer tannin.

Merlot

curated

They 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.

Gamay

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Tinta Barroca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

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.

Tinta Barroca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.

Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Argentine Malbec

Argentine Malbec scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

How these are chosen

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.