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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 floral, perfumed side and the peppery, spicy character, while moving away from too peppery and too oaky or woody.

You said you like the peppery, spicy character and that it is too peppery. Both are about spice, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
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.

Australian Grenache

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Washington Syrah

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

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.

Douro red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less peppery.
A little less oaky or woody.

Petit Verdot

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less peppery.
A little less oaky or woody.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The model this style follows closely.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less peppery.
A little less oaky or woody.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less peppery.
A little less oaky or woody.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less peppery.
A little less oaky or woody.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Australian Grenache

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 fruit-driven.

Washington 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 less floral.

Douro red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Douro red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 earthier.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 earthier.

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English still Pinot Noir

English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Douro red

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

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Australian Grenache

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 fruit-driven.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Petit Verdot

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

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Languedoc red

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.

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 floral, and more herbal and green.

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

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 floral.

Australian Grenache

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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.

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.

Australian Grenache

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 fruit-driven.

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 less floral, and more herbal and green.

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 less floral, and more herbal and green.

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 floral, 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 floral.

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 floral.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Super Tuscan

Both are made from syrah.

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

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 oaky, and less spicy.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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 oaky.

Condrieu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Australian Grenache

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.

Washington 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 less floral.

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 aromatic.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The model this style follows closely.

Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.

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 floral, 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 more floral.

Frappato

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

Uco Valley Malbec scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but less floral

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

Washington 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 more oaky.

Grenache

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

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The model this style follows closely.

Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.

Syrah

Both are made from syrah.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The model this style follows closely.

Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.

Taurasi

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Rhône blend

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

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

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.

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.

Australian Grenache

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 fruit-driven.

Washington 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 less floral.

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.

Languedoc red

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.

Australian Grenache

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 softer and rounder.

Washington 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 less floral.

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.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The model this style follows closely.

Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.

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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from syrah.

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

Shiraz

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

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

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.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Australian Grenache

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 fruit-driven.

Washington 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 less floral.

Douro red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Verdot

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.

Australian Grenache

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 fruit-driven.

Washington 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 less floral.

Douro red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Verdot

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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Priorat

Both are made from syrah.

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

Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.