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 savoury, non-fruity character, the floral, perfumed side and the peppery, spicy character, while moving away from too peppery.
- 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.
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 Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- 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.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less peppery.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- 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.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less peppery.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less peppery.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less peppery.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less peppery.
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 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 earthier.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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 fruit-driven.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Cru Beaujolais
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
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.
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 fruit-driven.
Chilean Carmenère
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.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
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 earthier.
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 fruitier.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
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 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 less floral.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less floral.
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 fruit-driven, and more floral.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
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.
Cornalin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Broad-leaved Melnik
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 less floral, and more oaky.
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 oaky.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
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.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Rioja Reserva
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.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
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 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 aromatic.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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 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 floral.
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.
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 earthier.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
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.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
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 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 earthier.
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 earthier.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
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.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
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.
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.
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 fruitier.
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 fruitier.
Shiraz
Shiraz scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 less floral, and earthier.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 earthier.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 less floral, and more herbal and green.
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 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 earthier.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 less floral, and more herbal and green.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 fruitier.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
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.