Apothic Cabernet Sauvignon California 2018

Apothic Cabernet Sauvignon California 2018 (SKU 253416, $16.09 tax included)

I found this about a month ago at the government liquor stores and decided to give it a try. I previously tasted the Apothic Red and thought it was a joke. I also tasted the Apothic Dark (see my previous blog in March 2018) and did not think much of it as it had no character at all. But since this one is Cabernet Sauvignon predominant wine, I thought I would give it a chance. I first opened it at a Chinese dinner in a restaurant and found it to be easy drinking with a pleasant vanilla note. The body was medium and the finish was so so. I saw it again recently at the liquor store on sale for $2 off and wanted to give it a second tasting. I tasted fragrant black tea on the front palate with vanilla in the mid-palate. There was some kind of herb at the finish. It was paired with some baked pork ribs lightly marinated in Italian spices and rosemary with a pinch of Himalayan salt and the flavour was more noticeable. The finish was medium and went well with the pork ribs. The wine was meant for immediate consumption, do not even decant, just open and drink. There is ample supply in all the LDB stores and is on sale until December 28, 2019.