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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 moving away from too peppery.

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.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Substantially less peppery.

Toro

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

Substantially less peppery.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Substantially less peppery.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Substantially less peppery.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Substantially less peppery.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Substantially less peppery.

Alicante Bouschet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less peppery.

Montsant

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

Substantially less peppery.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Sonoma 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.

Toro

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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 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.

Sonoma 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.

Toro

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

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

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 spicy, and sweeter.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera

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

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

Tinta Negra

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Toro

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 less oaky.

Madiran

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Tannat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Montsant

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Marsanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pedro Ximénez

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Toro

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Sparkling 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 spicier, and sweeter.

Franciacorta

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

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 spicy, and lighter.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

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.

Montepulciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montsant

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

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

Bonarda

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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.

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 spicy, 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 less spicy, and less oaky.

Toro

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Gamay

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Morgon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

Sémillon

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

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

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 spicy, and more aromatic.

Toro

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Barbaresco

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Gamay

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

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

Madiran

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

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 spicy, and sweeter.

Sonoma 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 savoury.

Toro

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

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

Alicante Bouschet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Montsant

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

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

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Expect: Earthier and more gamey, with less oak.

Priorat

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 spicier, and earthier.

Bolgheri

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more herbal and green.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Montsant

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

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

Rioja

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

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

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 spicy, and sweeter.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Merlot

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Sonoma 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.

Toro

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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.

Sonoma 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.

Toro

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

A step up

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

Chianti Classico

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

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

Barbaresco

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Priorat

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 spicier, and earthier.

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

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

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.