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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 heavy 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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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 heavy.
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 heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Agiorgitiko

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

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 heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Alentejo red

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

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 heavy.
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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

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 less spicy, and sweeter.

Different grape, similar feel

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

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 less spicy, and sweeter.

Agiorgitiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Alentejo red

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

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 less spicy, and sweeter.

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 Crianza

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

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

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.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Brunello di Montalcino

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Taurasi

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Barolo

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Aglianico

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

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.

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 less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.

Agiorgitiko

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

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

Alentejo red

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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

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 sweeter.

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and spicier.

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.

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 less spicy, and more fruit-driven.

Pinotage

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

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

Tawny Port

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

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

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

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.

California Rhône blend

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

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 less spicy, and sweeter.

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

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

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

Syrah

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

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 less spicy, and more aromatic.

Rioja

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

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

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

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

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

Australian Grenache

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

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 Gran Reserva

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

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

Rioja

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

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 less spicy, and sweeter.

Zinfandel

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

California Rhône blend

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

California Rhône blend

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.

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.

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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Rioja Crianza

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

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

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 less spicy, and sweeter.

Rioja

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Agiorgitiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Alentejo red

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

California Rhône blend

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.

Nemea Agiorgitiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

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.

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Expect: Earthier and more gamey, with less oak.

Agiorgitiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Alentejo red

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

California Rhône blend

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.

A step up

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

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.