I am a long time fan of the entire line of Apothic wines, they artfully combine well-made wine with a budget friendly price tag. I discovered these wines years ago, when I was only just beginning to explore wines, and I have been drinking them fairly often ever since. If you’re looking for a wine that will meet your expectations while still being kind to your wallet, I highly recommend the Apothic Dark blend, or, truly, any wine from the Apothic collection.

This 2017 California Red Blend greets you with immediate legs as you swirl the glass for the first time. The color is an extremely deep brownish red, with a light blush around the edge. The scent is incredibly rich and earthy. It is both sweet and dusty, like a box of red fruit that is a little overripe. It reminds me of strawberries and whiskey. The flavor is intense, as you would expect from a dark blend, but it is also pleasantly fruity, with a slight tartness to it.

This is one of those wines that I love to have on hand for any occasion, it’s perfect for an evening at home, but it would also work well at a nice dinner party. I highly recommend picking up a bottle next time you stop by the wine shop, and enjoy with good friends and great conversation.