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 moving away from too savoury or funky, too earthy or musty and too oaky or woody.
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
curatedWidely considered the New World region closest to Bordeaux in structure and balance.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedBordeaux varieties at a fraction of the price, with reliable ripeness.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less oaky or woody.
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 savoury or funky.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
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
curatedWidely considered the New World region closest to Bordeaux in structure and balance.
Expect: A touch riper and more consistent between vintages.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedBordeaux varieties at a fraction of the price, with reliable ripeness.
Expect: More minty and less complex, but far cheaper.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
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.
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.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
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.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedThe 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 more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
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.
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 more oaky, 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 more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Red Bordeaux across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
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 earthier, and less spicy.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
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.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
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.
English sparkling rosé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 more fruit-driven.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Ruby Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Super Tuscan
curatedBordeaux varieties grown in Tuscany, often in a deliberately Bordelais style.
Expect: More Mediterranean herb character and higher acidity.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedThe 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 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 more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 more fruit-driven, 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 earthier, and less spicy.
Malbec
Both are made from malbec, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
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.
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 earthier, and less spicy.
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 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 more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 earthier.
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 earthier, 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 earthier, and less spicy.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedBordeaux varieties at a fraction of the price, with reliable ripeness.
Expect: More minty and less complex, but far cheaper.
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.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
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
curatedWidely considered the New World region closest to Bordeaux in structure and balance.
Expect: A touch riper and more consistent between vintages.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedBordeaux 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 earthier, and less spicy.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
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 earthier.
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 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 more oaky, 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 more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedThe 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.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedBordeaux 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
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.
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.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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.
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.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
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 more savoury, and spicier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Priorat
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Ribera del Duero
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
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.