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Wines like Red Bordeaux

The blended Cabernet–Merlot benchmark: structured, cedary and built to age, with two distinct characters depending on which bank of the river it comes from. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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Refine

What do you like about Red Bordeaux?

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 firm, grippy structure The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too green or grassy too peppery too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

Clear all

What these words mean

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 herbal, green side: Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
The spice: Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
The savoury, meaty side: Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
The earthy, mineral side: Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.

Looking for something moving away from too earthy or musty and too green or grassy.

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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

The same grapes, made in a ripe New World idiom.

Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Merlot

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

Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

Widely considered the New World region closest to Bordeaux in structure and balance.

Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as green or grassy as the wine you started from.

Egri Bikavér

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

Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Valais Cornalin

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

Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Super Tuscan

curated

Bordeaux varieties grown in Tuscany, often in a deliberately Bordelais style.

Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as green or grassy as the wine you started from.

Petit Verdot

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

Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

The same grapes, made in a ripe New World idiom.

Expect: Riper, softer, higher in alcohol and more overtly oaked.

Merlot

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

Widely considered the New World region closest to Bordeaux in structure and balance.

Expect: A touch riper and more consistent between vintages.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Valais Cornalin

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Fetească Neagră

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Rioja Crianza

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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.

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Beaujolais

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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.

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Pinot Meunier

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Beaujolais

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

The same grapes, made in a ripe New World idiom.

Expect: Riper, softer, higher in alcohol and more overtly oaked.

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but less tannic

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

Merlot

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but fresher

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

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but softer

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

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Merlot

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

The same grapes, made in a ripe New World idiom.

Expect: Riper, softer, higher in alcohol and more overtly oaked.

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 riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Red Bordeaux across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Red Bordeaux across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Crémant

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but sweeter

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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.

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Nero di Troia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

The same grapes, made in a ripe New World idiom.

Expect: Riper, softer, higher in alcohol and more overtly oaked.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Pinot Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Sémillon

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more floral

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more savoury

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

Taurasi

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.

Barolo

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Red Bordeaux across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.

Naoussa Xinomavro

Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Red Bordeaux across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.

Similar but fruitier

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

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

Widely considered the New World region closest to Bordeaux in structure and balance.

Expect: A touch riper and more consistent between vintages.

Merlot

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.

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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

The same grapes, made in a ripe New World idiom.

Expect: Riper, softer, higher in alcohol and more overtly oaked.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Egri Bikavér

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Chianti

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and both come from the same country.

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

Chianti Classico

Both are made from merlot.

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both are made from merlot.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

The same grapes, made in a ripe New World idiom.

Expect: Riper, softer, higher in alcohol and more overtly oaked.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

The same grapes, made in a ripe New World idiom.

Expect: Riper, softer, higher in alcohol and more overtly oaked.

Merlot

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Something more adventurous

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Egri Bikavér

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Valais Cornalin

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Egri Bikavér

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Valais Cornalin

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

The same grapes, made in a ripe New World idiom.

Expect: Riper, softer, higher in alcohol and more overtly oaked.

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.