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Wines like Malbec

A dark, velvety variety that struggled in its French homeland and became Argentina’s national grape. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Malbec?

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 floral or soapy 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 floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
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 perfumed and too floral or soapy.

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.

Syrah

curated

Both are full-bodied, dark-fruited and generous in texture — the natural next step for a Malbec drinker.

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

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from malbec, 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 perfumed.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Fetească Neagră

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 perfumed.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Shiraz

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 perfumed.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Uruguayan Tannat

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 perfumed.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Tempranillo

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 perfumed.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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 perfumed.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Pinotage

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 perfumed.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

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

curated

Both are full-bodied, dark-fruited and generous in texture — the natural next step for a Malbec drinker.

Expect: More black pepper, olive and savoury meatiness, and firmer structure — especially from the northern Rhône.

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Shiraz

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

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

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

Tempranillo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

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 less floral, and less spicy.

Colorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.

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.

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

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.

Dolcetto

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.

Colorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.

Similar but less tannic

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

Primitivo

curated

A similarly ripe, generous, dark-fruited red at consistently accessible prices.

Expect: Riper and jammier, with higher alcohol and softer acidity.

Agiorgitiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alentejo red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Merlot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Tannat

curated

Malbec’s traditional blending partner in south-west France, and a step up in tannic intensity.

Expect: Much more tannic and less fruit-forward. Needs food.

Mavrud

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less floral, and fresher and more acidic.

Bobal

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.

Chianti Classico

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

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

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 less floral.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less floral.

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 less floral, and sweeter.

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

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 less floral, and less spicy.

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Colorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.

Cornalin

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.

Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.

Tempranillo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.

Barolo

Barolo scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.

Barbaresco

Barbaresco scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Alicante Bouschet

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Similar but more floral

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

Uco Valley Malbec

Both are made from malbec, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less spicy.

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.

Barolo

Barolo scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

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

Mourvèdre

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Similar but fruitier

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

Primitivo

curated

A similarly ripe, generous, dark-fruited red at consistently accessible prices.

Expect: Riper and jammier, with higher alcohol and softer acidity.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Shiraz

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

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

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.

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and earthier.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and earthier.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less spicy.

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, 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.

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Shiraz

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

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

Tempranillo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Tannat

curated

Malbec’s traditional blending partner in south-west France, and a step up in tannic intensity.

Expect: Much more tannic and less fruit-forward. Needs food.

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

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.

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 less floral, and sweeter.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.