If you like this, try…

Wines like Argentine Malbec

Mendoza’s velvet-textured, violet-scented red — soft, generous and the wine that made Malbec international. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Argentine Malbec

Refine

What do you like about Argentine 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 rich dark fruit How full and weighty it is The floral character

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too heavy too soft or too easy too oaky or woody too floral or soapy too peppery

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.
How smooth and soft it is: Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
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 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.

Looking for something keeping the floral, perfumed side and the rich, ripe dark fruit, while moving away from too floral or soapy.

You said you like the floral, perfumed side and that it is too floral or soapy. Both are about floral character, 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.

Barossa Shiraz

curated

A comparably full, dark, generous warm-climate red.

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Malbec

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

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Grenache

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

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

California Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
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.

Barossa Shiraz

curated

A comparably full, dark, generous warm-climate red.

Expect: More chocolate and sweet spice, and higher alcohol.

Malbec

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Barossa Shiraz

curated

A comparably full, dark, generous warm-climate red.

Expect: More chocolate and sweet spice, and higher alcohol.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Malbec

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dornfelder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dornfelder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Meunier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Malbec

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

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

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Barossa Shiraz

curated

A comparably full, dark, generous warm-climate red.

Expect: More chocolate and sweet spice, and higher alcohol.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The standard next step for a Malbec drinker who wants more complexity.

Expect: Black pepper, olive and cured meat in place of violet and cocoa.

Similar but fresher

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Uco Valley Malbec

curated

The higher, cooler expression of the same grape and region.

Expect: Fresher, more floral and more structured.

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

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.

Barossa Shiraz

curated

A comparably full, dark, generous warm-climate red.

Expect: More chocolate and sweet spice, and higher alcohol.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Argentine Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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 stiller, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but sweeter

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

Vin Doux Naturel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Late Bottled Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.

Jaen

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dornfelder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Meunier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cinsault

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barossa Shiraz

curated

A comparably full, dark, generous warm-climate red.

Expect: More chocolate and sweet spice, and higher alcohol.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Bolgheri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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.

Barbaresco

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Malbec

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Barossa Shiraz

curated

A comparably full, dark, generous warm-climate red.

Expect: More chocolate and sweet spice, and higher alcohol.

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Bierzo Mencía

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Uco Valley Malbec

curated

The higher, cooler expression of the same grape and region.

Expect: Fresher, more floral and more structured.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Négrette

Négrette scores closest to Argentine Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Frappato

Frappato scores closest to Argentine Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but less floral

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

Malbec

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

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

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barossa Shiraz

curated

A comparably full, dark, generous warm-climate red.

Expect: More chocolate and sweet spice, and higher alcohol.

Washington Syrah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Douro red

curated

Comparable density and dark fruit from an entirely different grape set.

Expect: More floral and mineral, with firmer acidity.

Cahors

curated

Malbec in its French homeland.

Expect: Darker, firmer, earthier and much less plush.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The standard next step for a Malbec drinker who wants more complexity.

Expect: Black pepper, olive and cured meat in place of violet and cocoa.

Washington Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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.

Primitivo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Cahors

curated

Malbec in its French homeland.

Expect: Darker, firmer, earthier and much less plush.

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from malbec, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Cahors

curated

Malbec in its French homeland.

Expect: Darker, firmer, earthier and much less plush.

Uco Valley Malbec

curated

The higher, cooler expression of the same grape and region.

Expect: Fresher, more floral and more structured.

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from malbec, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Malbec

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

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Malbec

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

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

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.

Malbec

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

curated

A comparably full, dark, generous warm-climate red.

Expect: More chocolate and sweet spice, and higher alcohol.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Grenache

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Douro red

curated

Comparable density and dark fruit from an entirely different grape set.

Expect: More floral and mineral, with firmer acidity.

Cahors

curated

Malbec in its French homeland.

Expect: Darker, firmer, earthier and much less plush.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

California Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

A step up

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Barossa Shiraz

curated

A comparably full, dark, generous warm-climate red.

Expect: More chocolate and sweet spice, and higher alcohol.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

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.