The Mysterious Apothic Red

This is just pure fun. There’s no other way to describe it. There’s nothing serious about Apothic Red and the fact that you can find it pretty much anywhere makes it even that much more enjoyable.

I’m sure there’s not a casual wine drinker out there who hasn’t at least tried one of the Apothic line-ups. And to each there own when it comes to which is best. Me, I stay true to the good old-fashioned red blend that is Apothic Red.

About the Wine: Let’s just start with how badass their website is. It’s cool. Navigate away for a second, I give you full permission. Ok, back? Did you do the palm reading? What were your results? Mine…

Ok ok…Let’s talk about the wine now. According to the back of the bottle the name is inspired by the “Apotheca, a mysterious place where wine was blended and stored in the 13th Century Europe.” And Apothic Red keeps that mystery alive. What do we know? It’s a rich blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, Cab Sauv, and Syrah. But the exact percentages, the blending method, barrel aging — all those dirty little details us wine-nerds like to learn about — mystery. So say goodbye to your wine-nerdom while you drink this wine and say hello to your wine soul — that part of you that sips, savors, and doesn’t use words like terroir (because in all honesty, I can’t tell you where these grapes were grown).

Flavor Profile: It’s just as deep and as lusciously dark as it sounds. In the glass, the wine is a sanguine red. initial aromas are of plump plums, black cherries, a hint of anise, and wet stone. The flavors play into those scents but add a bit of relief with the addition of vanilla and an aftertaste that’s pure cocoa.

Tannins are certainly present, giving the wine a full, complete body — but the wine itself is overall juicy, jammy, and flavorsome with fruits. The acid is subtle, subtle, subtle: just enough acid to keep those fruits alive in the foretaste and let the cocoa linger in the aftertaste.

Food Pairing: Because of its big, bold body, this wine could easily pair well with a rare grilled steak and hearty sides. Or, you could take the contrary route, pairing it with a light salad filled with fresh berries topped with a tart cheese like feta and let the wine do all the heavy lifting.

In all honesty, I think this wine is best paired with pajamas, a good movie, and your favorite drinking partner — late at night and into the early morning. Drink it like a guilty pleasure, and promise me you’ll enjoy every minute of it.

More Info: Like I said, you can find this wine almost anywhere (Safeway/Vons, BevMo, Whole Foods, sometimes even Costco). When I find it on sale (Sale Price: $9.99), I usually stock up my cellar with at least two or three. For more information about Apothic Red, or if you just want to play around on their website, visit the Apothic website.

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