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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 keeping the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too oaky or woody and too savoury or funky.

You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about fruit intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

Based on what you said

Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

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.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Morgon

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

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.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
A little less savoury or funky.

Cru Beaujolais

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Bierzo Mencía

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Montsant

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

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.

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 more floral.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

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

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

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 riper and less green.

Different grape, similar feel

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

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 riper and less green.

Cru Beaujolais

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 more floral.

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

Montsant

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 structure

Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.

Similar but lighter

Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.

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 more restrained in fruit.

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 more floral.

Cru Beaujolais

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 more floral.

Valpolicella

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

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

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.

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 more floral.

Cru Beaujolais

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 more floral.

English still Pinot Noir

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

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

Valpolicella

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Petit Verdot

Both are made from petit verdot, 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 spicier.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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.

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 riper and less green.

Montepulciano

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

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

Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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 more floral.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Petit Verdot

Both are made from petit verdot, 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 spicier.

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 savoury, and more oaky.

Toro

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

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

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 savoury, and more oaky.

Similar but fresher

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

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 more floral.

Valpolicella

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

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

English still Pinot Noir

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

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

Chianti

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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.

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 more fruit-driven.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English sparkling rosé

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Muscat Bailey A

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.

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 more floral.

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 more restrained in fruit.

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 riper and less green.

Cru Beaujolais

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 more floral.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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.

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 less spicy.

Bolgheri

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

Gamay

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

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

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 riper and less green.

Malbec

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Silvaner

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

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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

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

Gavi

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

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

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 more neutral and subtle.

Gamay

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

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

Bierzo Mencía

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.

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 more savoury, and more oaky.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

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

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

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 more floral.

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.

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 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.

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

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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 more floral.

Chianti

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

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

Chianti Classico

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 Riserva

Both are made from merlot.

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

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 fruitier.

Petit Verdot

Both are made from petit verdot, 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 spicier.

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 savoury, and more oaky.

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 oaky, and fruitier.

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.

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 more restrained in fruit.

Cru Beaujolais

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 more floral.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

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 more floral.

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 riper and less green.

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

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 more floral.

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 riper and less green.

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

Montsant

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

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

A step up

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

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 savoury, and more oaky.

Amarone della Valpolicella

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Ribera del Duero

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.