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Wines like Plavac Mali

Dalmatia’s principal red: powerful, high in alcohol, and a child of Zinfandel. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Plavac Mali?

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 rich dark fruit How full and weighty it is The firm, grippy structure The spice The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too heavy too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too peppery too savoury or funky

Clear all

What these words mean

The rich dark fruit: Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
How full and weighty it is: Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
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.
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.
The savoury, meaty side: Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.

Looking for something keeping the full body and weight, while moving away from too heavy and too savoury or funky.

You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. Both are about body, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. Both are about alcohol, 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.

Zinfandel

curated

Its parent variety, and the closest widely available point of reference for the ripeness and the dried-fruit character.

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

California Pinot Noir

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less savoury or funky.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Barbera d’Alba

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less savoury or funky.

Agiorgitiko

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less savoury or funky.

Alentejo red

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less savoury or funky.

Nemea Agiorgitiko

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less savoury or funky.

Malbec

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less savoury or funky.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Zinfandel

curated

Its parent variety, and the closest widely available point of reference for the ripeness and the dried-fruit character.

Expect: Plavac Mali is more tannic, more savoury, and less sweetly fruited.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Zinfandel

curated

Its parent variety, and the closest widely available point of reference for the ripeness and the dried-fruit character.

Expect: Plavac Mali is more tannic, more savoury, and less sweetly fruited.

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.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Agiorgitiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

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.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Agiorgitiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

Alentejo red

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but less tannic

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.

Mavrud

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but fresher

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Nero d’Avola

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and earthier.

Similar but softer

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

Marsanne

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

Condrieu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.

Viognier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.

Gewürztraminer

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and sweeter.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Plavac Mali across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Plavac Mali across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and earthier.

Similar but sweeter

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more sparkling.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Zinfandel

curated

Its parent variety, and the closest widely available point of reference for the ripeness and the dried-fruit character.

Expect: Plavac Mali is more tannic, more savoury, and less sweetly fruited.

Ruby Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and stronger and warmer.

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.

Nero di Troia

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

Bobal

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

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

Refosco

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

Trincadeira

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.

Pinotage

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Morgon

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Zinfandel

curated

Its parent variety, and the closest widely available point of reference for the ripeness and the dried-fruit character.

Expect: Plavac Mali is more tannic, more savoury, and less sweetly fruited.

Similar but more floral

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

Malbec

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

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.

Australian Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more savoury

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

Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino scores closest to Plavac Mali across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Northern Rhône Syrah

Northern Rhône Syrah scores closest to Plavac Mali across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione scores closest to Plavac Mali across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Plavac Mali across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but fruitier

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Zinfandel

curated

Its parent variety, and the closest widely available point of reference for the ripeness and the dried-fruit character.

Expect: Plavac Mali is more tannic, more savoury, and less sweetly fruited.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

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.

Zinfandel

curated

Its parent variety, and the closest widely available point of reference for the ripeness and the dried-fruit character.

Expect: Plavac Mali is more tannic, more savoury, and less sweetly fruited.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.

Something more adventurous

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Agiorgitiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

Alentejo red

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

Nemea Agiorgitiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

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.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Agiorgitiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

Alentejo red

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

Nemea Agiorgitiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

A step up

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

Argentine Malbec

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

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

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

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.