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 floral, perfumed side and the peppery, spicy character.
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.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
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.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Washington Syrah
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.
Australian Grenache
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.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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 less spicy, and earthier.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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
Pinot Noir scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 earthier.
Mondeuse Noire
Mondeuse Noire scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
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
Red Burgundy scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 earthier.
Mondeuse Noire
Mondeuse Noire scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional 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 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 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 less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Langhe Nebbiolo
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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 less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
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 less spicy.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less spicy.
Australian Grenache
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Touriga Franca
Touriga Franca scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Tawny Port
Tawny Port scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
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 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
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 oaky.
Nero di Troia
Nero di Troia scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Trincadeira
Trincadeira scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Mondeuse Noire
Mondeuse Noire scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine Malbec scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less spicy.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 less spicy, and more aromatic.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less spicy.
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.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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 less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Washington Syrah
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.
Australian Grenache
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.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
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.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Shiraz
Shiraz scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
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 less spicy.
Barossa Shiraz
Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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 spicy, and less floral.
Australian Grenache
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.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
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 spicy, and less floral.
Australian Grenache
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.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
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 less spicy.
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 less spicy, and earthier.
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.