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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, too savoury or funky and too drying or too tannic.

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.

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.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

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.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Argentine Malbec

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

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.

Substantially less peppery.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Nero d’Avola

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

Substantially less peppery.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Alentejo red

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

Substantially less peppery.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Nemea Agiorgitiko

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

Substantially less peppery.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Rioja Crianza

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

Substantially less peppery.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nero d’Avola

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.

Alentejo red

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.

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

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

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

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 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.

Valpolicella

Valpolicella 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 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 more restrained in fruit.

Trousseau

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Cerasuolo di Vittoria 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 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.

Primitivo

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 more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

Toro

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Barbera d’Asti

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.

Barbera

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Areni

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

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.

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.

Alentejo red

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.

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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.

English sparkling rosé

English sparkling rosé 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 sweeter

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

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.

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Ruby Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Prokupac

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

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

Trousseau

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

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

Trincadeira

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bolgheri

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.

Gewürztraminer

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

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

Condrieu

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

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

Viognier

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 aromatic.

Nero d’Avola

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.

Similar but more floral

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

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.

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 tannic and structured.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less floral

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

Alentejo red

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.

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.

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.

Similar but more savoury

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The model this style follows closely.

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 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.

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.

Zinfandel

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

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

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.

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 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 more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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.

California Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.

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 softer and rounder.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

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.

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.

Rioja Crianza

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.

Something more adventurous

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

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.

Nero d’Avola

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.

Alentejo red

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.

Nemea Agiorgitiko

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.

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.

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.

Nero d’Avola

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.

Alentejo red

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.

Nemea Agiorgitiko

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.

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 tannic and structured, and more savoury.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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 tannic and structured, and more savoury.

Priorat

Both are made from syrah.

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