The name Apothic is derived from the far past of wine history.
The apotheca was the place where vintners of old stored their most valued wine to age and mature in and around the 13th century in Europe. It is also the name for an apothecary, aka drug store, in many European languages.
This indicates wine was an integral part of life in the early centuries as wine was one of the “safe” beverages to drink and also was considered to have medicinal properties. Over the ensuing centuries, wine has continued to be a favorite choice as a mealtime beverage.
In recent years, wine has been acknowledged to be beneficial to the maintenance of good health, so the name Apothic definitely fits these delightful beverages that carry the name.
Apothic 2015 White Blend ($14)
This is a novel and impressive blend of chardonnay, riesling and pinot grigio resulting in a nice all-around wine that can accompany many foods or food combinations. I found it also to be a standout when served as an aperitif before dinner or with seafood salads. In spite of the riesling, a wine variety that is usually sweet, this wine is totally dry and bold in its presentation of fruit flavors and aromas. Both the aroma and flavor reflect peach, pear, pineapple and assorted tropical fruits. The chardonnay element of this wine was aged in oak barrels to ensure the traditional flavor and aroma elements that add their magic touch to the wine. As one might expect of any well-made wine, all of these elements meld together and carry right on through to a finish that is long, and to say the least, fascinating. Since summer salads are currently in, the Apothic 2015 White Blend is a fine choice as the wine to accompany them.
Apothic 2015 Crush ($14)
This deep ruby-colored selection is a winemaker’s masterpiece. It’s been made from a blend of pinot noir and petite sirah, two varieties that have gained in popularity in recent years. This beverage abounds with the signature flavors and aromas of red summer berries and cherry, all wrapped in a cloak of softness derived from oak-barrel aging. Apothic Crush 2015 is a step away from the blends of the past and a journey into the wine world of the future.
Apothic 2015 Dark ($14)
This is another wine that works well with heavier red meat cuts. This fine, fruity libation has been made from a combination of grapes, some of which are not often found in other California wines. The use of petite sirah, teroldego, cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, petit verdot, merlot and the rarely used tanat create a super interesting wine that features the flavors and aromas of blueberry and blackberry with notes of coffee and dark chocolate. The finish is as good as the flavor and lasts on the palate a long time. This wine is positively the best choice for anything that is barbecued.
Apothic 2016 Rose ($14)
The Apothic 2016 Rose has been made to emulate the old and traditional style of rose wines. Made from tempranillo and grenache grapes, this dry gem exhibits all of the flavors and aromas one seeks in a fine rose without hiding behind a cloud of sweetness. It eagerly shows off layer after layer of fresh strawberry and watermelon with a hint of raspberry. The finish of this wine is most interesting in that it not only complements the fruits found in the aroma, but also contributes to them the always sought after soft creamy finish. This is a wine that can go with almost anything, and it really shines when accompanying Asian foods.
Wine columnist Bennett Bodenstein can be reached at frojhe1@att.net.
