Apothic Red Wine Review

If you're looking for an easy to drink red wine that offers a satisfyingly fruity finish then Apothic red wine could be exactly what you need.

I'm sure you've heard of Apothic red wine.

It's almost everywhere these days thanks to some clever marketing and branding. 

It's what might be considered a cheap red wine, but does that make it a bad one?

We decide if it's all hype or whether there is actually a pleasant wine hiding under all the showmanship.

Why All the Hype?

It’s not unheard of to blend one or two different grapes together to make a delicious concoction that combines the best of both worlds.

It’s a way to soften harsher and more intense grapes or to bring to life grapes that are too subtle for words.

However, what is rarely done and even when it is, to a high standard, is blending more than a couple of grapes together. 

So, the thought of a wine that mixes not two, but three different varieties together in a melting pot of aromas and flavors, is a strange thing indeed.

Especially when you consider that the three grapes being mixed together are not exactly thought of as ideal matches.

But, here we have in the Apothic Red Winemaker’s Red from California, (produced by Gallo) a blend of Merlot, Syrah, and Zinfandel.

That sentence does make it sound like some kind of mad wine blasphemy, but this is a popular red wine.

The name is apparently inspired by a mysterious location that was used to blend and store wine during the 13^th century in Europe, known as Apothecia. 

So, it makes sense that it’s a clever blend of California’s finest, juiciest and tastiest grape varietals. It really works well as a celebration of those three. 

According to the inscription on the bottle, Apothic Red is a ‘masterful blend’ of the three grapes and creates a layered flavor profile of dark red fruits with hints of mocha and vanilla.

Does it really live up to the popularity it has, given that it’s sold in grocery stores, wholesalers and just about anywhere else with a liquor license?

Let’s see in our Apothic Red Wine review.

Proof of the Pudding is in the Tasting

From what we've said already you may be wary of trying Apothic red wine.

Given that it’s a rich blend of what you would think would be warring flavor factions all vying for their place in the taste profile.

However, what you get is a well-executed marriage of the three varietals (Merlot, Syrah, and Zinfandel). 

With the nose, there is a pleasing and attractive, enticing even mixture of black cherry, red berries, vanilla and strangely butterscotch.

Those aromas set the mood perfectly for the taste test.

From the moment it hits your mouth you are rewarded with a blend of maraschino cherries, well-ripened raspberries and chocolate. 

Recommended Reading: Check out our review of the Paxis Red Blend next.

Some have even noted hints of maple syrup to the taste profile and even brown sugar.

That all sounds rather sweet and to be honest it is a little on the sweet side. But, if you're looking at red wine blends then I'm guessing that's a flavor profile you enjoy.

It's not too sweet for me and it makes the Apothic red incredibly easy to drink and hard to put down! It's a very approachable and accessible red wine.

And far from being an out and out sugary sweet, saccharine fest, the finish is actually slightly dry with biting acidity and mild tannins coming through.

It’s not hard to see why it’s so popular, as it’s not as hard to drink as some wines, but still offers a bit of intrigue and pizzazz compared to the average modestly priced single grape sipper.

Great Value for Money

Although it’s by no means the most refined red wine out there, this packs a satisfying amount of flavor for its price point.

The red blends retail at around $10-$12 at the time of writing, which in our eyes is great value for money.

Ideally, it’s best served on its own, but due to its sweetness, would work wonderfully with pizza or something similarly laid back. 

As a blended wine, it’s also a great addition to the drink’s menu at your next party. 

About The Winery – Gallo

Apothic Wines, like the one showcased in this review, are a wide range of offerings produced by the biggest wine producer and exporter in California, E.J. Gallo.

Founded and ran by Ernest and Julio Gallo, until they died, the winery was set up in 1933.

 This range all began with the release of the first Apothic Red in 2010 and it has gone from strength to strength ever since. 

The Apothic Red and other Apothic wines are crafted by the company’s skilled Debbie Juergensen.

From the very first vintage of this range to the most recent, Debbie is always looking to create a unique blend with bold flavors and intense aromas.

She allows the grapes themselves to dictate the way the flavoring is going to turn out. 

She has said she likes to tell a story with each vintage and blend. Although you could be forgiven for thinking that was just some clever sales pitch.

As this Apothic Red blend will not do show you, it really does feel as if it’s telling a story from the first sniff to the first sip and then that long and satisfying finish.

Summary

If you are looking for something subtle, look elsewhere. Apothic Red may be many, many things, but subtle is not one of them.

It’s bold, dry, fruity and a little bit in your face and that’s what’s genuinely great about it.

 It’s the perfect addition to any party situation or if you just want a non-nonsense and fuss sipper that will give you that fruity and berry hit you are looking for.

Given that it has continued to be sold by the winery and is constantly updated on a yearly basis, all those people that love it can’t be wrong, can they?

We certainly don’t think so, which is why to close out our Apothic Red review, we would suggest you give it a try.

For the low price it retails at and the decent quality it delivers, it’s a winner!