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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 moving away from too peppery and 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.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Bolgheri

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

California Pinot Noir

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

California Rhône blend

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Argentine Malbec

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Shiraz

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Touriga Nacional

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Substantially less peppery.
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.

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 Pinot Noir

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 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 floral, and more herbal and green.

Different grape, similar feel

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

California Pinot Noir

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 less floral.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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.

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 more restrained in fruit.

Egri Bikavér

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cru Beaujolais

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

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 less spicy, and softer and rounder.

Barossa 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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.

California Pinot Noir

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 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 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 more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

Barbera d’Asti

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Barbera

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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 less spicy, and fuller and richer.

Barossa 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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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 more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

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.

Asti

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Port

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Late Bottled Vintage Port

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

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

Vin Doux Naturel

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Prokupac

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 more restrained in fruit.

Trincadeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

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.

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.

Gewürztraminer

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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.

California Pinot Noir

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.

California Rhône blend

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

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

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 less spicy, and sweeter.

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 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 more fruit-driven.

Frappato

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Barossa Shiraz

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 Pinot Noir

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 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 floral, and more herbal and green.

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.

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 restrained in fruit.

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 more restrained in fruit.

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 less spicy, and fuller and richer.

Barossa Shiraz

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 Pinot Noir

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 less floral.

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 floral, and more herbal and green.

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.

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 fuller and richer.

Australian Grenache

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

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

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 fuller and richer.

Super Tuscan

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

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.

Barossa Shiraz

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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

California Pinot Noir

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 less floral.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.

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.

Something more adventurous

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

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 floral, and more herbal and green.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

A better-value alternative

Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.

Washington 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 floral, and more herbal and green.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

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 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 less floral.

Priorat

Both are made from syrah, and 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 more savoury, and less spicy.

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.