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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.

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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 the firm tannic structure and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too green or grassy and too perfumed.

You said you like how much it smells of, before you even taste it and that it is too perfumed. Both are about aromatic intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

Based on what you said

Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.

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 the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Syrah

curated

Similar weight and structure, and both take well to oak and reward ageing.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
About as perfumed as the wine you started from.

Malbec

curated

Both are full-bodied, dark-fruited reds with real weight, and Malbec is a permitted Bordeaux variety.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
About as perfumed as the wine you started from.

Tannat

curated

If the tannic grip is the part you enjoy, Tannat takes it further than almost any other variety.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less perfumed.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Mourvèdre

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.

Fetească Neagră

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Pinotage

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

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

Carignan

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.

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.

Dolcetto

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Mondeuse Noire

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 oaky.

Colorino

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

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.

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.

Mondeuse Noire

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 oaky.

Dolcetto

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Cru Beaujolais

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.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.

Douro red

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

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 less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.

Rioja Crianza

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.

California Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.

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.

Madiran

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 tannic and structured, and riper and less green.

Priorat

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

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

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 oaky.

Refosco

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Alicante Bouschet

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.

Jumilla Monastrell

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

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 less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but sweeter

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

Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.

Touriga Franca

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.

Pinotage

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

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

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.

Bobal

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Colorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Cornalin

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Pinotage

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

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

Rioja

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

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

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 aromatic, and more tannic and structured.

Barolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

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 more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Similar but more floral

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

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.

Northern Rhône Syrah

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 savoury.

Cahors

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.

Washington Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Similar but more savoury

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

Cahors

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.

Carignan

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.

Mourvèdre

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 softer and rounder.

Rioja

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.

Petite Sirah

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

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 less tannic and softer, and more herbal and green.

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more savoury.

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fresher.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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 sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more oaky.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Bolgheri

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Tempranillo

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.

Something more adventurous

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

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.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

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.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Mourvèdre

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.

A step up

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Priorat

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.

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.