If you like this, try…
Wines like Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Peppery, floral, medium-bodied Syrah made deliberately in the northern Rhône idiom — one of New Zealand’s best-kept secrets. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Hawke’s Bay Syrah?
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 floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- 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.
- 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 and the floral, perfumed side, while moving away from too floral or soapy.
- You said you like the floral, perfumed side and that it is too floral or soapy. Both are about floral character, 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.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- About as floral or soapy 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.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.
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.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
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 less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Naoussa Xinomavro
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 less spicy.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Langhe Nebbiolo
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 less spicy.
Naoussa Xinomavro
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 less spicy.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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 tannic and softer, and stiller.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less spicy.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and earthier.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Uco Valley Malbec
Uco Valley Malbec scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less spicy.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.
Négrette
Négrette scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less tannic and softer.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Naoussa Xinomavro
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 less spicy.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Montsant
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
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.