Apothic Merlot 2020
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Grapes were fermented with a soft touch to capture blueberry and black cherry fruit characteristics that fit with the subtle vanilla coconut oak selected for this wine. Apothic blended Teroldego into this wine to complement it’s uniquely approachable pallet and deliver some additional jammy characters (boysenberry and blueberry jam).
Apothic is a California winery that specializes in blends. Learn about the origin of the Apothic name, Apothic’s approach to winemaking, and the flavors of its flagship Apothic Red wine.
The Origin and Meaning of the Apothic Name
Inspired by "Apotheca," a mysterious place where wine was blended and stored in 13th century Europe, the wines of Apothic are truly unique in style and taste.
Apothic’s Winemaking Process
Apothic winemaker, Debbie Juergenson, crafts bold, captivating blends by using only the most distinctive California grapes. Each vintage, she lets the grapes guide the way from the vine to the cellar, crafting a collection of unforgettable wines, including Apothic Red, White, Dark, Crush, Inferno and a limited selection of seasonal releases.
To craft Apothic wines, Debbie looks for a unique blend of grapes to create intense aromas and bold flavors. "I strive to tell a story with each blend of Apothic," Debbie explains. "Whether it's one of drama, intrigue or romance, the wines of Apothic are truly original."
The Flavors of Apothic Red
Apothic Red wine is a masterful red blend featuring rich Zinfandel, smooth Merlot, flavorful Syrah, and bold Cabernet Sauvignon. These unique elements come together to create a red blend with layers of dark red fruit complemented by hints of vanilla and mocha.
Today the fourth most widely planted red variety in the state, Merlot has much to offer. While it bears similarities to Cabernet Sauvignon (its half-sibling), it tends to be lower in both acidity and tannins, giving Merlot wines a mouthfeel that is often perceived as soft, round and plush. These qualities make it an ideal blending partner for Cabernet, the two complementing each other throughout.
Merlot arrived relatively late to the California wine scene. It wasn’t until the 1970’s when producers like Louis Martini, Sterling and Matanzas Creek—influenced by European Merlot blends—began crafting single varietal versions. These trend-setting bottles opened the eyes of others in the California wine scene and spurred increased plantings. From there, the variety’s lush drinkability led to a surge in popularity, then overplanting (some of it on unsuitable sites) and finally a backlash that was turbo-charged by the infamous 2004 film, Sideways. What most viewers didn't realize was that, as much as Miles derided the variety, the prized wine of his collection—a 1961 Château Cheval Blanc—is made from a blend of Merlot with Cabernet Franc.
Fine examples of California Merlot—either as a single varietal wine or as part of a blend—can be found from Napa Valley, Sonoma County, the Central Coast and most regions around the state. Merlot wines offer a ripe, sensual mouthful of plummy fruit, suggestions of mint, herbs and vanilla, all carried along by an approachable structure and often, a great potential for improving with age.