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Wines like Super Tuscan

A commercial category rather than an appellation: ambitious Tuscan reds that fell outside the DOC rules, usually built on Bordeaux varieties. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Super Tuscan?

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…

How full and weighty it is The firm, grippy structure The vanilla and oak

But it’s a bit…

too heavy too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too green or grassy too peppery too austere

Clear all

What these words mean

How full and weighty it is: Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
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 herbal, green side: Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
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.
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 vanilla, toast and oak character, while moving away from too peppery, too austere, too drying or too tannic and too heavy.

You said you like the vanilla, toast and oak 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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
A little less heavy.

Touriga Franca

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

Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
A little less heavy.

Corvina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
A little less heavy.

Red Bordeaux

curated

The same varieties, in the style Super Tuscans were originally modelled on.

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
A little less heavy.

Merlot

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

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
A little less heavy.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less heavy.

Bolgheri

curated

Bolgheri is where much of the category is now formally appellation-controlled.

Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
A little less heavy.

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 Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Corvina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Red Bordeaux

curated

The same varieties, in the style Super Tuscans were originally modelled on.

Expect: Less ripe and more earthy, with a firmer, drier finish.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Corvina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Change the structure

Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.

Similar but lighter

Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Muscat Bailey A

Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Super Tuscan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.

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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

Muscat Bailey A

Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Super Tuscan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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 Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Argentine Malbec

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

Touriga Franca

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Merlot

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Sagrantino

Both come from the same country.

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

Brunello di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Touriga Nacional

Touriga Nacional scores closest to Super Tuscan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barbaresco

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Barbera

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but softer

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Merlot

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

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 less oaky, and spicier.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

Lambrusco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.

English sparkling rosé

English sparkling rosé scores closest to Super Tuscan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

Similar but sweeter

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.

Touriga Franca

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.

Merlot

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Muscat Bailey A

Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Super Tuscan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Pinotage

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

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

Bolgheri

curated

Bolgheri is where much of the category is now formally appellation-controlled.

Expect: Essentially the same wine with a legal name.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Gamay

Gamay scores closest to Super Tuscan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Muscat Bailey A

Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Super Tuscan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Corvina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Merlot

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Similar but more floral

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Gamay

Gamay scores closest to Super Tuscan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Similar but more savoury

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

Red Bordeaux

curated

The same varieties, in the style Super Tuscans were originally modelled on.

Expect: Less ripe and more earthy, with a firmer, drier finish.

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Chianti Classico

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Primitivo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

Zinfandel

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

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 Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Merlot

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Chianti Classico

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

Merlot

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Bolgheri

curated

Bolgheri is where much of the category is now formally appellation-controlled.

Expect: Essentially the same wine with a legal name.

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 Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Merlot

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Something more adventurous

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Corvina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A better-value alternative

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Corvina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Ribera del Duero

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

Red Bordeaux

curated

The same varieties, in the style Super Tuscans were originally modelled on.

Expect: Less ripe and more earthy, with a firmer, drier finish.

Chianti Classico

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

Oregon Pinot Noir scores closest to Super Tuscan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

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.