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 the firm tannic structure and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too oaky or woody.
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
curatedCabernet Franc is one of Cabernet Sauvignon’s parents and shares its leafy, graphite-tinged aromatics.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Malbec
curatedBoth 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.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Syrah
curatedSimilar 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.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Montsant
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 oaky or woody.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Negroamaro
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 oaky or woody.
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
curatedCabernet 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.
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.
Morgon
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 less spicy.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Cabernet Franc
curatedCabernet 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 less tannic and softer, 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 more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.
Cabernet Franc
curatedCabernet 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.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Cabernet Franc
curatedCabernet 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.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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 more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
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 oaky.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Uruguayan Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Cabernet Franc
curatedCabernet 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
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 less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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.
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.
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.
Languedoc red
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 spicier.
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 less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
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
curatedCabernet 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 less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Carignan
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 spicy.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Cabernet Franc
curatedCabernet 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 restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Carignan
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 less spicy.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Negroamaro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cabernet Franc
curatedCabernet 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.
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.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Carignan
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 spicy.
Cahors
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 spicy.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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 oaky.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
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.
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 oaky.
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 oaky.
Coonawarra 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 oaky.
Margaret River 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 oaky.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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 less tannic and softer.
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 oaky.
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 oaky.
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 oaky.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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 oaky.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
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 oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
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 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
curatedCabernet 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.
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.
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 oaky.
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 less tannic and softer, 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 more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Cahors
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 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.
Morgon
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 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 more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Cahors
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 spicy.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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 spicier.
Priorat
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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
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.