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Wines like Barossa Shiraz

Dense, chocolatey, high-alcohol Shiraz from some of the oldest producing vines on earth. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Barossa Shiraz?

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 vanilla and oak

But it’s a bit…

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

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.
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 vanilla, toast and oak character and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too austere and too drying or too tannic.

You said you like the firm tannic structure and that it is too drying or too tannic. Both are about tannin, 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.

Primitivo

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

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Zinfandel

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

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

curated

A neighbouring South Australian region with maritime cooling.

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.

Pinotage

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

Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less austere.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Primitivo

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

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

California 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 drier, and less spicy.

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

Expect: More floral and violet-scented, and usually less oaky.

Zinfandel

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Primitivo

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

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

California 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 drier, and less spicy.

Zinfandel

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

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

Pinotage

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

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

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 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 drier, and less spicy.

Pinotage

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

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

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.

Pinotage

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

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California 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 drier, and less spicy.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Similar but less tannic

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

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

Expect: More floral and violet-scented, and usually less oaky.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Barossa Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barbera d’Alba

Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Barossa Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Muscat Bailey A

Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Barossa Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Sagrantino

Sagrantino scores closest to Barossa Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Priorat

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Pinotage

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

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

Expect: More floral and violet-scented, and usually less oaky.

Primitivo

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Barossa Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Barossa Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Vin Doux Naturel

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stiller.

Similar but sweeter

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Vin Doux Naturel

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

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

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Late Bottled Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

Expect: More floral and violet-scented, and usually less oaky.

Primitivo

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

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Pinotage

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

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir scores closest to Barossa Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Malbec

Malbec scores closest to Barossa Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Syrah

Syrah scores closest to Barossa Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barolo

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Primitivo

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Pinotage

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

Expect: More floral and violet-scented, and usually less oaky.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir scores closest to Barossa Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

Malbec scores closest to Barossa Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Expect: Earthier and more gamey, with less oak.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the climate spectrum.

Expect: Black pepper, olive and cured meat, at moderate alcohol and with far less oak.

Rioja

Both are made from grenache.

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

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 drier, and less oaky.

California 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 drier, and less spicy.

Zinfandel

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

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

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

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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

California Rhône blend

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Rioja

Both are made from grenache.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Rioja

Both are made from grenache.

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

Rioja Reserva

Both are made from grenache.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Shiraz

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

curated

A neighbouring South Australian region with maritime cooling.

Expect: Slightly fresher and more red-fruited, often with a salted-chocolate edge.

California Rhône blend

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Change the mood

Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.

A safe next step

Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.

Primitivo

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

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

California 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 drier, and less spicy.

Zinfandel

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

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Something more adventurous

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

Pinotage

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

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinotage

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

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Expect: Earthier and more gamey, with less oak.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

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

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 drier, and more tannic and structured.

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

Expect: More floral and violet-scented, and usually less oaky.

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.