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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.

← Back to Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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.

I like…

The firm, grippy structure The floral character The spice The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too floral or soapy too peppery too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

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 peppery, spicy character and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too oaky or woody and too savoury or funky.

You said you like the peppery, spicy character and that it is too oaky or woody. Both are about spice, 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.

Southern Rhône blend

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
A little less savoury or funky.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Nero di Troia

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
A little less savoury or funky.

Languedoc red

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Blaufränkisch

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
A little less savoury or funky.

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Southern Rhône blend

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Nero di Troia

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Nero di Troia

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

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

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more 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.

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Dolcetto

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

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

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.

Similar but less tannic

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

Southern Rhône blend

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

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Rhône blend

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more fruit-driven.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mavrud

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Graciano

Graciano scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Areni

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Southern Rhône blend

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

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

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

Lambrusco scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

Southern Rhône blend

Both are made from syrah, 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 less tannic and softer.

Similar but sweeter

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

Vintage Port

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

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

Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Ruby Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.

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.

Nero di Troia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Southern Rhône blend

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

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 less spicy.

Barossa Shiraz

Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Bolgheri

Both are made from syrah.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from syrah.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

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 more restrained in fruit, and more tannic and structured.

Barolo

Barolo scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barbaresco

Barbaresco scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Southern Rhône blend

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Nero di Troia

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 floral

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.

Négrette

Négrette scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Frappato

Frappato scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Southern Rhône blend

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Nero di Troia

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 savoury

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The 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 more restrained in fruit.

Taurasi

Taurasi scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.

California Rhône blend

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.

Southern Rhône blend

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Languedoc red

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Australian Grenache

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 more fruit-driven.

Washington Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.

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 spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Nero di Troia

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

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

Languedoc red

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

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

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.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Nero di Troia

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

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

Languedoc red

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

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

A step up

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.

Priorat

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.

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.