Apothic Red 2009 | California
Usually I drink wine with food. I almost always eat food with wine. Sometimes, though, I like to have a glass of wine with nuttin’. In those cases, the “cocktail wines” are an ideal choice. And on this particular night, I wanted a “cocktail red” — something to sip on its own, that wouldn’t be too tannic, but have some richness and flavor. Oak wouldn’t be a major issue, because generally speaking, oak tastes good when food is not present. So I opened up this bottle, which was sent to me by a very nice PR person.
Apothic Red is a blend of Syrah, Zinfandel, and Merlot. It helps to know that, but I really do believe I can taste all three varietals in the blend. The nose is a pleasant, inviting blend of vanilla, butterscotch, red berries, and black cherry — for me, the butterscotch is dominant in the aroma. Strange, I know — since when does a red wine smell like butterscotch? When it’s been whacked with American oak (barrel or chips? who knows? who cares?). In the mouth it has sweet flavors of ripe raspberry, chocolate, maraschino cherry, and boysenberry syrup (like what you get at IHOP). However, it finishes dry, with a balanced level of mild tannins and puckering acidity. It was exactly what I was seeking on this particular evening. I’m not sure I’d try to match it with food — I don’t know where I’d begin. Maybe General Tsao’s chicken or a similarly sweet dish from the Chinese take-out menu? It’s not sweet like a Yellow Tail or Hob Nob wine, but it’s not all that far from it, either — I would say it is a good stepping stone from critter reds to more “serious” ones, because it does finish relatively dry and it has nicely integrated tannins and acidity. Without question, a crowd pleaser — bring it to your next party where people will be drinking wine as though it were a cocktail.
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Disclosure: I received this wine as a press sample
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My boyfriend and I enjoy the Apothic Red. I try to pick up a bottle when I see it, especially on sale. I was sipping some last night, trying to ‘get the taste’ of it, and all I could really come up with was ‘earthy’ in a pleasant, back-to-the-soil manner. Alas, my palate is a teeter-totter of “Like it” or “Don’t like it.”
On the other hand, if you make your own wine and re-use bottles, the label can be a pain to get off.
Please tell me that you meant ‘nothing,’ or even ‘nuthin.’ If not, that’s way too much info. Sometimes … less ‘hip’ is more hip.
Wow where is YOUR mind?
Yes, meant “nothing,” or “nuthin.’” The term “nuttin’” is a similar colloquialism that has been used extensively outside of this blog. My apologies if it confused you or put a negative image in your mind.
“Nuttin” is the Southern states variation of “Nuthin” which is the southern states variation of “Nothing.” By federal law, you must be a true Southerner to use “Nothin.” By law, you absolutely, positively must still currently reside in a Southern state to be allowed the use of “Nuttin.”
My name is Bubba, and I approve this message aka PSA. .
Btw, I didn’t mean nuttin’ by the above.
I tried this wine with tomato and basil cheese, italian herb crackers, and vermont white sharp cheddar cheese (together and separate). It was delicious alone and with all of the above
Spot on!. I honestly never tasted it in the sense of looking for flavors but the “butterscotch” hit me between the eyes. I love this wine dearly! So easy out of the bottle:)
I just bought a 2011 bottle at the supermarket simply after giving in to a free sample and reminding myself of your article earlier this year. Of course the oak door slamming in your face is the first element to hit you but then I realized I liked this fruit forward but not sweet poor man’s Prisoner. For a moment I thought it might go in the direction of a sweet vermouth ( that would be bad) but after the serious finish I realized it was more of a distant cousin to the juicy and “apothic” Amarones/Ripassos.
I subsequently proceeded to decant the Apothic into a coke canteen and went to my favorite take out in the same shopping center ( groceries in tow) for a big old plate of Kung Pow Chicken…perfect pair! There would have been too much sweetness if it was paired with the Gen Tsao’s as you suggested but then some places use quite a bit of chilies and we would have a happy medium again!
Thanks for the insight to try the Apothic,
Mike Barrea
It’s disgusting
Amen!!!! Just horrible!!!! It’s like one of these homemade wines in a plastic barrel from 20 years ago!!!
This without a don’t is the worst wine I have ever tasted. I could see dunking this if I were incarcerated but that’s it. I had two glasses. One without food and one with spaghetti. Without food it’s horrible. With food at least the food kills the taste. I took one more sip after I finished my food and then dumped the rest down the sink. I’ve had much better $5.00 wines when I was in school. I will never ever buy anything from this company again.
What $5 wines are you talking about and where can I get some?It’s a $11 wine dude,do you even like wine?
You should stop smoking crack cocaine then. It is clearly ruining your taste buds.
Great review. Everyone tastes something different in this wine. For me it was a bit of licorice. I agree that it stands on it’s own quite well. The only thing I could come up with to pair it with was vanilla ice cream.
Cheers!
I love this wine. It is one of my favorite reds. I am not a wine critic, nor do I pretend to be be one. I have not got a bunch of money to spend so I look for inexpensive wines. To me, this is probably the best one for the money. For the people who find this wine disgusting, can you please tell me which wines you like? I am must curious because to me, to wine if very far from disgusting, but again, I like cheap.
I bought a bottle of the Apothic Red and absolutely hated it. I can’t speak for the others but wine snobbery played no role in my opinion. I’m still new to wine, and I have never
I just purchased a bottle of the Apothic Red and absolutely hate it. I can’t speak for the others but wine snobbery played no role in my opinion. I’m still new to wine and I have never paid more than $20 for a bottle. I usually drink Bordeaux. The bottles I usually buy cost 12-15 dollars. Someone recommended this brand due to my preferences. I’m not experienced enough to articulate what I don’t like about the Apothic Red. All I can say is that the wine had a very odd mouthfeel and an unpleasant flavor. It’s all a matter of taste. If you like it, that’s all that should matter.
I love this wine. For me, it is one of the tasiest smoothest red wines. for the money. The white is delicious as well. For you people who find it disgusting, I would be curious to know what kind of wine you enjoy. I am not a wine critic at all,I just like something tasty and reasonably priced, and for me, Apothic fits the bill. I enjoy it by itself or with food..
Nice wine for the $…
I never really enjoyed the taste of wines before until I tasted Apothic. Now I can say I totally enjoy a small glass or two once in a while. I love the taste of it as you flavor it with every taste bud receptacle actively participating in this delicate tasteful treat. Matching it to known flavors may help others anticipate a feel for this liquid red, however, tasting it first hand is what made me a lover of this wine. Yes it is true with all things that this a matter a preference, and this wine found it’s prefered place with me.
I never really enjoyed the taste of wines before until I tasted Apothic. Now I can say I totally enjoy a small glass or two once in a while. I love the taste of it as you flavor it with every taste bud receptacle actively participating in this delicate tasteful treat. Matching it to known flavors may help others anticipate a feel for this liquid red, however, tasting it first hand is what made me a lover of this wine. Yes it is true with all things that this a matter a preference, and this wine found it’s preferred place with me.
This is the most disgusting gag reflex wine I have ever had. I can appreciate bottom shelf stuff like Barefoot, Redwood Creek, Redtree, Red Truck series I tried Apothic twice, first time at a N. Yrs. party and it tasted like a burnt liquid plastic / simple syrup meritage, and the four other people who tasted it before I dumped it out commented before me; it was undrinkable. Second time, it was still pretty bad, but the steak I was eating must have masked the plastic taste, it just tasted sickly cheap sweet. Another bad one like it is Evodia (Spain).
You lost me when you said ‘Barefoot’.. Barefoot and Apothic shouldn’t even be spoken in the same sentence. Your palate must be fried. I’ll be sure to try out Evodia as well. You obviously don’t like the taste of sweeter wines, and some of them are just as good.
At its price point, the 2010 Apothic Red is a very enjoyable wine.
I drank a 2009 bottle and it was great! With hints of vanilla and mocha!
Personaly, the apothis red is an amazing wine. I can literally taste the entire blend. It is clear, sexy, and concise. I own a case as of tonight.
haha vinojoe, i think the same damn thing, this is drinkin’ wine, not real wine.
It’ does ‘zactly what it’s supposed to.
We love this wine — we’re in Canada and wonder if anyone knows of a Canadian blend that tastes like this one… We try to drink local wines (Ontario) but have not found one like this delicious red and would like to.
Great Wine! It was the hit at my pizza party. I bought a case for Xmas .