If you like this, try…
Wines like Cabernet Sauvignon
The world’s most planted red wine grape: thick-skinned, tannic and blackcurrant-scented, and the backbone of Bordeaux’s left bank. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Cabernet Sauvignon?
Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.
What these words mean
- The firm, grippy structure
- High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
- The vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- How aromatic it is
- Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
- The herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- The spice
- Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something keeping how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
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.
Syrah
curatedSimilar weight and structure, and both take well to oak and reward ageing.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Malbec
curatedBoth are full-bodied, dark-fruited reds with real weight, and Malbec is a permitted Bordeaux variety.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Cabernet Franc
curatedCabernet 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.
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.
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.
Gamay
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.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Merlot
curatedThey are the two halves of the Bordeaux blend and share dark fruit, a similar weight and a comparable response to oak.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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.
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.
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 riper and less green, 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
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.
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.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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 oaky.
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 oaky.
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 riper and less green.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
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.
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.
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.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
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.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
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 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.
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.
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.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and stiller.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and sweeter.
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 more oaky, and riper and less green.
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 more oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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 less oaky.
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 less oaky.
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 less oaky.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more savoury.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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 restrained in fruit.
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.
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 less spicy.
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 fuller and richer.
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.
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
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.
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.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Syrah
curatedSimilar weight and structure, and both take well to oak and reward ageing.
Expect: Syrah brings black pepper, olive and cured-meat savouriness in place of Cabernet’s cassis and cedar.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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 less spicy.
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 fuller and richer.
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 less spicy.
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 less spicy.
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 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 fresher.
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 savoury.
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 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 riper and less green.
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 fresher and more acidic.
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 riper and less green.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
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.
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 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 riper and less green, and less spicy.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
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 less spicy.
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 less spicy.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.