The Apothic Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Zinfandel, and 4% various Red grapes (according to SAQ, the Quebec Liquor Authority). The Apothic line of wine is one of E & J Gallo’s many wine labels, they are the largest family-owned winery in the US.
The Apothic Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 lists for $11.99 (I found it at Target for $8.99), the line for the difference between bulk wines and premium wines is $11. So the Apothic line of wines is firmly in the premium wine category.
E & J Gallo owns some of the finest vineyards in California and routinely wine awards for vineyard innovations and management. They produce many affordable wine brands, but they have the grapes and the production expertise to create bang-for-the-buck wines.
The technical notes for this Cabernet Sauvignon mention they picked grapes with soft tannins to make a silky, smooth drinking experience. Portions of this cab were aged with oak for 3 or 4 months, to impart the desired oak flavors (vanilla and mocha).
I think of this type of wine as recipe wine. This is not an expression of the vineyard with minimal intervention. This is a wine that the winemaker produced with certain flavors and characteristics in mind. In my mind, there is nothing wrong with a good recipe. The winemaker can make a wine that delivers each vintage and appeals to a wide variety of wine drinkers.
The Apothic Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 has 11.0 g/L of residual sugar which puts it at the high end of dry and at the low end of off-dry. The alcohol content is 13.6%.
The Apothic Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Tasting Notes
The color is black cherry red with black highlights. The nose is rich and ripe, there is black cherry, blackberry, creamy French vanilla, dusty chocolate powder, candy spice, and light herbs. The Apothic Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a full-bodied, smooth wine with rich, dark flavors.
This Cabernet Sauvignon tastes like ripe cherry, black pepper, vanilla, and plum. The mid-palate adds 80% cocoa chocolate, blackberry, and tart cranberry.
The tannins are smooth, they do not pull or bite and the acidity allows the flavors to unfold and balances the residual sugar.
The Summary
- The Apothic Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is terriffic because vintage after vintage you will always know what to expect and you will not be diappointed.
- There is enough hapening on your palate to keep you interested and there are enough ripe, rich flavord to keep you happy.
