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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Syrah

curated

Similar 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.

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.

Malbec

curated

Both 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.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Different grape, similar feel

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

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.

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 fresher.

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.

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

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.

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.

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

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

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.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Primitivo

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

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

Super Tuscan

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.

Similar but less tannic

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

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 less spicy.

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Similar but softer

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

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.

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 more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.

Grenache

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 less oaky.

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.

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 sweeter.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English sparkling rosé

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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.

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 sweeter.

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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.

Morgon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.

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 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.

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 less oaky.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Super Tuscan

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.

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.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc 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.

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.

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.

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 fresher.

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.

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

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Malbec

curated

Both 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.

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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

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 fresher.

Syrah

curated

Similar 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 fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

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.

Zinfandel

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

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

Primitivo

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

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.

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 fresher.

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.

Chilean 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.

Super Tuscan

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 fresher.

Chianti Classico

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 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.

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 fresher.

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.

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.

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

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.

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

A step up

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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 more tannic and structured.

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.

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.