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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, while moving away from too oaky or woody, too savoury or funky, too austere and too peppery.
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.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
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
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Cru Beaujolais
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Loire Cabernet Franc scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Valpolicella Ripasso
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 drier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Southern Rhône blend
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 drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Langhe Nebbiolo
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Graciano
Graciano scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
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 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 spicy, and less oaky.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 oaky, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Barossa Shiraz
Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Pinotage
Pinotage scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
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.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Uco Valley Malbec
Uco Valley Malbec scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Négrette
Négrette scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Taurasi
Taurasi scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Southern Rhône blend
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 drier, and less tannic and softer.
Montsant
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.
Montsant
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 drier, and more savoury.
Australian Grenache
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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 drier, and more savoury.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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.
Southern Rhône blend
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 drier, and less tannic and softer.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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.