A short guide written by Jon Cellier from the Perfect Cellar Wine Committee.
If Cabernet Sauvignon is your go-to, you probably love some combination of dark fruit, firm tannins, and that satisfying “structure” that stands up to food.
The good news: you don’t have to drink Cabernet to get that same hit.
Below are 9 Cabernet-adjacent reds from the Perfect Cellar portfolio - each one a brilliant “what next?” bottle for Cab drinkers.
Cabernet Sauvignon in 60 seconds (so we can match your style)
Cabernet Sauvignon typically brings:
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Body: medium-full to full
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Tannins: medium-high to high (that drying grip)
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Flavours: blackcurrant/black cherry, cedar, tobacco, graphite, sometimes mint
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Oak: often present (vanilla/spice), depending on style
A quick flavour map: what kind of Cab drinker are you?
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If you like polished, plush Cab (ripe fruit + smooth oak) → look for Apalta-style blends and Super Tuscan-style reds.
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If you like classic, savoury Cab (cedar + structure) → look for serious Italian reds and structured Iberian blends.
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If you like big structure above all (tannin + intensity) → look for Sagrantino and other ageworthy styles.
1) Grangehurst Nikela 2011 (for Cab lovers who like mature, savoury complexity)
If you love Cabernet when it starts to soften at the edges and pick up more savoury notes, Nikela is the vibe: layered, composed, and built for the table.
You’ll love it if: you like Cab with age, polish, and depth. Enjoy a clever blend of Cab, Pinotage, Shiraz and Roobernet.
2) La Cepa Alta Cinco Elementos “Essentia” 2022 (for Cab lovers who want dark fruit with a fresher lift)
This is a great pick when you want Cabernet-like dark-fruit satisfaction, but with a slightly different aromatic profile - more “new discovery” than “same old.”
You’ll love it if: you want something bold but not heavy. Here the grape variety is Tempranillo.
3) Lou Miranda Fierce III Sagrantino 2020 (for Cab lovers who chase tannin + intensity)
Sagrantino is one of the most naturally tannic grapes in the world. Translation: if Cabernet’s grip is what you love, this takes it up a notch; serious structure, serious presence.
You’ll love it if: you like Cab that’s big, firm, and built to age. Sagrantino is the grape!
4) Cagliero Galverno Langhe Rosso DOC 2020 (for Cab lovers who want an Italian red with structure)
Langhe Rosso is a smart alternative when you want a red that still feels dry, structured, and food-friendly, but with a distinctly Italian shape.
You’ll love it if: you like Cab with dinner and want something more gastronomic.
5) Villa Mangiacane Aleah Super Tuscan 2019 (for Cab lovers who want polish with an Italian accent)
Super Tuscan-style Merlot are a natural landing spot for Cabernet drinkers: dark fruit, oak, and structure, but with a different savoury edge.
You’ll love it if: you like Cab that’s smooth, confident, and restaurant-ready.
6) Icario Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2020 (for Cab lovers who like savoury, food-first reds)
Vino Nobile is a brilliant “Cab alternative” when you want structure without the Cabernet signature - more cherry/earth/savoury energy, still plenty of backbone.
You’ll love it if: you like Cab’s dry finish and want a red that shines at the table. This time, you'll be transported by the Sangiovese grape.
7) Caballo Loco Grand Cru Apalta 2023 (for Cab lovers who like plush, powerful blends)
Apalta is famous for producing rich, concentrated reds. This is the pick for Cabernet drinkers who want ripe fruit, power, and a polished mouthfeel.
You’ll love it if: you like Cab that’s bold, smooth, and crowd-pleasing.
8) Xisto Roquette & Cazes 2019 (for Cab lovers who like dense, structured reds)
Douro reds can be an incredible alternative to Cabernet: dark fruit, serious structure, and a savoury depth that plays beautifully with food.
You’ll love it if: you like Cab that’s intense and dry, especially with steak or lamb. Xisto is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz; like in Port wines, but dry and lower in alcohol.
9) Cartuxa Pêra-Manca Tinto 2018 (for Cab lovers who want a “special bottle” alternative)
When you want a Cabernet-level “occasion wine” without drinking Cabernet, this is the move: layered, powerful, and built for slow, memorable dinners.
You’ll love it if: you like Cab at its most serious and cellar-worthy. This time the blend is Trincadeira and Aragonez, another two very Portuguese grape varieties.
This wine is rare. If you are interested in purchasing it, contact me directly at jon@perfectcellar.com
Cabernet-friendly food pairings (easy wins)
Cab drinkers usually love wines that can handle:
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Steak, burgers, lamb
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Hard cheeses (Comté, aged cheddar)
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Mushrooms, peppercorn sauce, roasted aubergine
In short, pick your next bottle
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Want mature, savoury complexity → Grangehurst Nikela 2011
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Want bold but fresher → La Cepa Alta Essentia 2022
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Want maximum tannin/structure → Lou Miranda Fierce III Sagrantino 2020
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Want Italian, food-first structure → Icario Vino Nobile 2020
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Want polished, plush power → Caballo Loco Grand Cru Apalta 2023
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Want dense, structured Douro → Xisto Roquette & Cazes 2019
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Want a special-occasion alternative → Cartuxa Pêra-Manca Tinto 2018
FAQ
What wine is closest to Cabernet Sauvignon?
If you want the closest feel (structure + tannin), look for structured blends and ageworthy reds - especially styles like Douro blends, Super Tuscan-style wines, and high-tannin Italian grapes.
If I like Cabernet Sauvignon, what should I try next?
Try a structured Italian red (like Sagrantino or Vino Nobile) if you love tannin and dryness, or a plush Apalta blend if you love ripe fruit and polish.
Do you need to decant Cabernet Sauvignon (and similar structured reds)?
Often, yes, especially if it’s young and tannic. A short decant can soften the edges and open up the aromatics. Do this or open the bottle a couple of hours before enjoying.
Thanks for reading!
Cheers
Jon from Perfect Cellar 🍷