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Wines like Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
New World ripeness with Old World structure — a product of desert heat and extreme diurnal swing east of the Cascades. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Washington Cabernet Sauvignon?
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 rich dark fruit
- Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
- The bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- 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 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.
Looking for something keeping the bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too oaky or woody and too peppery.
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.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
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.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
Montsant
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- 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.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
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 more oaky, and less spicy.
Montsant
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Washington Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Fer Servadou
Fer Servadou scores closest to Washington Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Washington Cabernet Sauvignon 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.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Washington Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Loire Cabernet Franc scores closest to Washington Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Priorat
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 broader and softer, and more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Madiran
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 broader and softer, and more oaky.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Graciano
Graciano scores closest to Washington Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Washington Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Washington Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
California traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Washington Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Washington Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Washington Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
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.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, 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 less spicy.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Montsant
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
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 more oaky, and less spicy.
Margaret River 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 more oaky, and less spicy.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
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 more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Sonoma 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 more oaky, and less spicy.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.
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.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
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 more oaky, and less spicy.
Montsant
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Margaret River 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 more oaky, and less spicy.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher 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.
Sonoma 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 more oaky, and less spicy.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 spicier, and broader and softer.
Madiran
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 more restrained in fruit, and broader and softer.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
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 more oaky, and less spicy.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Washington Cabernet Sauvignon across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
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 more oaky, and less spicy.
Montsant
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
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 more oaky, and less spicy.
Montsant
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
Priorat
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 broader and softer, and more oaky.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 spicier, and broader and softer.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
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.