If you like this, try…
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.
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.
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 keeping the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too oaky or woody, too green or grassy and 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.
Cahors
Both are made from malbec, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- About as green or grassy as the wine you started from.
- 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.
Cahors
Both are made from malbec, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Cru Beaujolais
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 spicy.
Poulsard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Cru Beaujolais
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 spicy.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Priorat
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 oaky, and riper and less green.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
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 more herbal and green.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
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 more herbal and green.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
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 fruit-driven, and more oaky.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Red Bordeaux across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Red Bordeaux across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Red Bordeaux across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Champagne
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 spicy.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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.
Cahors
Both are made from malbec, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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 fruitier.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Red Bordeaux across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Rioja Reserva
Rioja Reserva scores closest to Red Bordeaux across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo scores closest to Red Bordeaux across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Morgon
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 spicy.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Muscadet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cahors
Both are made from malbec, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
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 more savoury, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedWidely considered the New World region closest to Bordeaux in structure and balance.
Expect: A touch riper and more consistent between vintages.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedBordeaux varieties at a fraction of the price, with reliable ripeness.
Expect: More minty and less complex, but far cheaper.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 more herbal and green.
Uco Valley 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 riper and less green.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
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 oaky, and less spicy.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedWidely considered the New World region closest to Bordeaux in structure and balance.
Expect: A touch riper and more consistent between vintages.
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 more herbal and green.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Priorat
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 oaky, and riper and less green.
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 fruitier.
Argentine Malbec
Both are made from malbec, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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.
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 more herbal and green.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Cru Beaujolais
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 spicy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Cahors
Both are made from malbec, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Cahors
Both are made from malbec, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Priorat
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 oaky, and riper and less green.
Ribera del Duero
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and spicier.
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.