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Wines like Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Merlot-led Bordeaux blends from the Gimblett Gravels — New Zealand’s most serious red beyond Pinot Noir. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend?
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 bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- 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.
- How full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- 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.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something moving away from too tart or sour-fruited, too austere and too heavy.
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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less heavy.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less heavy.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- More tart or sour-fruited, not less.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Priorat
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Mavrud
Mavrud scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Saperavi
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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 fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Barbaresco
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Zinfandel
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Primitivo
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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.
Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Ribera del Duero
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Priorat
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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.