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 peppery, spicy character, while moving away from too savoury or funky.
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.
Blaufränkisch
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 peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
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 peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Bolgheri
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 peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- More savoury or funky, not less.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- 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.
Blaufränkisch
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 restrained in fruit.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 less spicy, and less floral.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Blaufränkisch
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 restrained in fruit.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more fruit-driven.
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 more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Blaufränkisch
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 restrained in fruit.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Dolcetto
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
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 more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Cru Beaujolais
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Loire Cabernet Franc scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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 less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
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 less spicy.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Mavrud
Mavrud scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Blaufränkisch
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 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 more fruit-driven.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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 less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less spicy.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Trincadeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
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 less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
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.
Syrah
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 spicy.
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.
Blaufränkisch
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 restrained in fruit.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 less spicy, and more aromatic.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and 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.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Blaufränkisch
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 restrained in fruit.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 less spicy, and less floral.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Taurasi
Taurasi scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 less spicy, and less floral.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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 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.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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 less spicy.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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 more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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 less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Blaufränkisch
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 restrained in fruit.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 less spicy, and less floral.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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.
Blaufränkisch
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 restrained in fruit.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 less spicy, and less floral.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.