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Wines like Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Structured, refined Cabernet from a strongly maritime corner of Western Australia — the New World region closest to Bordeaux in balance. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon?
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 keeping the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too tart or sour-fruited 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.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less heavy.
Red Bordeaux
curatedThe most frequently drawn parallel, and a fair one.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less heavy.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less heavy.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less heavy.
Chilean 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.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- About as heavy 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.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Red Bordeaux
curatedThe most frequently drawn parallel, and a fair one.
Expect: Earthier and less ripe, with more vintage variation.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
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.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
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.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Priorat
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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 fruitier.
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 fruitier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
California 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 less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mavrud
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Nerello Mascalese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fuller and richer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Languedoc red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less oaky.
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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
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.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more aromatic.
Chilean 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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Red Bordeaux
curatedThe most frequently drawn parallel, and a fair one.
Expect: Earthier and less ripe, with more vintage variation.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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 fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Primitivo di Manduria
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.
Chilean 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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Red Bordeaux
curatedThe most frequently drawn parallel, and a fair one.
Expect: Earthier and less ripe, with more vintage variation.
Bekaa Valley Red
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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fuller and richer.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.
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 fruitier.
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 fruitier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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 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.
Chilean 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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Red Bordeaux
curatedThe most frequently drawn parallel, and a fair one.
Expect: Earthier and less ripe, with more vintage variation.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
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.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and 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 stronger and warmer.
Super Tuscan
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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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.