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Wines like McLaren Vale Shiraz

Maritime-cooled South Australian Shiraz — a touch fresher and more red-fruited than the Barossa, with a salted-chocolate edge. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about McLaren Vale Shiraz?

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 rich dark fruit How full and weighty it is The firm, grippy structure

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too tart or sour-fruited too heavy too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too peppery

Clear all

What these words mean

The rich dark fruit: Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
The bright red fruit: Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
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 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 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.

Looking for something keeping the firm tannic structure, while moving away from 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.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.

Rioja

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.

Mourvèdre

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.

Rioja Reserva

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.

Fetească Neagră

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.

Montsant

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.

Languedoc red

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
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.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Rioja

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

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

Mourvèdre

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Fetească Neagră

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and leaner and more cutting.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Mavrud

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

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

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.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more herbal and green.

Bairrada Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more herbal and green.

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.

Bobal

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Cahors

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

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

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

Barbera d’Alba

Barbera d’Alba scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher and more acidic.

Barbera d’Asti

Barbera d’Asti scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher and more acidic.

Barbera

Barbera scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Brunello di Montalcino

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 fresher and more acidic.

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 fresher and more acidic.

Bairrada Baga

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 fresher and more acidic.

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 fresher and more acidic.

Similar but fresher

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more herbal and green.

Bairrada Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

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 earthier.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.

Similar but softer

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

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.

Mourvèdre

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

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

Languedoc red

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fresher and more acidic.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.

Tempranillo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and more herbal and green.

Similar but sweeter

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

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and leaner and more cutting.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Touriga Franca

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and less spicy.

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and leaner and more cutting.

Colorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Cornalin

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, 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 stronger and warmer.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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 stronger and warmer.

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Malbec

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

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

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and leaner and more cutting.

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 more aromatic.

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 more aromatic.

Similar but more restrained

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more herbal and green.

Rioja

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

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

Mourvèdre

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and earthier.

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

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 fresher and more acidic.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and leaner and more cutting.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.

Washington Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and leaner and more cutting.

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.

Brunello di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but fruitier

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.

Zinfandel

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

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.

Rioja

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

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

Mourvèdre

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Bekaa Valley Red

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

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

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Mourvèdre

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

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

Languedoc red

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, 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 stronger and warmer.

Syrah

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

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

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.

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and leaner and more cutting.

Something more adventurous

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Mourvèdre

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Fetească Neagră

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and leaner and more cutting.

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.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Mourvèdre

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Fetească Neagră

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and leaner and more cutting.

A step up

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

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and leaner and more cutting.

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.

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.