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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 oaky or woody, too drying or too tannic, too peppery and too earthy or musty.

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.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

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

A little less oaky or woody.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Montepulciano

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

Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Bonarda

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

Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Gamay

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

Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Cabernet Franc

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

Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.

Merlot

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

About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

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.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Gamay

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

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

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.

Gamay

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

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

Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Beaujolais

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

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

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

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more oaky, and spicier.

Primitivo

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

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

Alicante Bouschet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Similar but less tannic

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Bonarda

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Toro

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Madiran

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

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

Bairrada Baga

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Chianti

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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.

Montepulciano

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

The sparkling version

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

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English sparkling rosé

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Tibouren

Both come from the same country.

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Gamay

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Super Tuscan

curated

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

Expect: More Mediterranean herb character and higher acidity.

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.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Gamay

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Morgon

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

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

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Koshu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Blanc

Both come from the same country.

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Red Bordeaux across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

Vernaccia di San Gimignano scores closest to Red Bordeaux across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Gamay

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both are made from merlot.

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

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.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

Bordeaux varieties at a fraction of the price, with reliable ripeness.

Expect: More minty and less complex, but far cheaper.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

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.

Chianti

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

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

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.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

Bordeaux varieties at a fraction of the price, with reliable ripeness.

Expect: More minty and less complex, but far cheaper.

Coonawarra 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 more tannic and structured, and more oaky.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Chianti

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

Chianti Classico

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

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both are made from merlot.

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

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 more oaky, and spicier.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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 more tannic and structured, and more oaky.

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.

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.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Gamay

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

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 more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Something more adventurous

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

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.

Montepulciano

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

A step up

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Ribera del Duero

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Priorat

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

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

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.