Snoop Dogg’s Cali Red: Uncorking the Story & Taste of the 19 Crimes Hit Wine

When hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg partnered with 19 Crimes to create Cali Red, he brought his unmistakable West Coast style to the wine world. This collaboration has quickly become one of the most talked-about celebrity wines on the market. Beyond the iconic label featuring Snoop himself, what’s actually in the bottle? This guide explores the complete story behind Cali Red, from its inception and grape composition to its flavor profile and cultural impact.

Snoop Dogg has masterfully transitioned from music icon to beverage entrepreneur by strategically blending cultural authenticity with diversified product lines, all while maintaining personal health-conscious abstinence from alcohol. His 19 Crimes Cali Red wine, launched in 2020, represents a landmark partnership that perfectly aligns his West Coast identity with the brand’s celebration of rule-breakers, marking 19 Crimes’ first expansion into California winemaking after focusing exclusively on Australian wines.

This collaboration showcases how Snoop has leveraged his unique cultural position to create a compelling wine product. The distinctively Californian blend combines 65% Petite Sirah, 30% Zinfandel, and 5% Merlot, delivering a full-bodied experience with jammy dark fruits, vanilla, and chocolate notes that finish with an approachable sweetness.

What makes this venture particularly fascinating is how it fits into Snoop’s broader business portfolio while authentically connecting to his personal narrative. The wine’s phenomenal success—selling over 800,000 cases in the first year alone and becoming the #1 selling single wine in IRI’s New Product Pacesetter history—has led to an expanded collection including Cali Rosé, Cali Blanc, and Cali Gold, attracting younger consumers who might otherwise choose spirits over wine.

With innovative augmented reality labels that animate through the Living Wine Labels app, Snoop Dogg’s Cali Red isn’t just a celebrity endorsement—it’s a cultural phenomenon that’s reshaping how consumers experience wine. Let’s uncork the complete story of this remarkable collaboration.

Understanding Snoop Dogg Cali Red: The Wine and the Legend

Before diving into tasting notes, it’s important to understand what makes this collaboration unique.

What Exactly is 19 Crimes Snoop Dogg Cali Red?

Cali Red is a California red blend created through the partnership between Australian wine brand 19 Crimes and entertainment icon Snoop Dogg. Launched in 2020, this wine marked 19 Crimes’ first expansion into California winemaking, having previously focused exclusively on Australian wines.

Positioned as an accessible, bold red blend, Cali Red is designed to appeal to both wine enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The wine quickly gained popularity upon release, becoming one of the most successful celebrity wine launches in recent memory.

Who is Snoop Dogg and Why Did He Partner with 19 Crimes?

Snoop Dogg has evolved from Long Beach rap prodigy to global cultural icon and entrepreneur. With ventures spanning music, television, cannabis, cookbooks, and more, Snoop has demonstrated his business acumen across multiple industries.

The partnership with 19 Crimes makes perfect sense when considering the brand’s foundation. 19 Crimes built its identity celebrating historical figures who were convicted in Britain and subsequently banished to Australia – individuals who, despite their convictions, helped build a new country.

Snoop’s own journey – from early legal troubles to mainstream entertainment figure – aligns perfectly with this narrative of redemption and reinvention. The innovative augmented reality label, which animates when viewed through the Living Wine Labels app, adds another dimension to the collaboration.

Deconstructing the Cali Red Blend: Grapes, Region, and Profile

What Grapes Make Up Snoop Dogg Cali Red?

Cali Red derives its character from a blend of primarily:

Petite Sirah: The backbone of the blend, contributing deep color, robust tannins, and concentrated black fruit flavors.

Zinfandel: California’s heritage grape, bringing bright red fruit notes, spice, and jammy raspberry and blackberry flavors with hints of black pepper.

A touch of Merlot: Adding softness and approachability with plush texture and cherry notes.

Together, these varieties create a powerhouse blend that’s unmistakably Californian in its generous fruit profile and substantial body.

Where Does Cali Red Come From? The California Connection

True to its name, Cali Red sources its grapes from California’s warm interior regions, particularly the Lodi appellation – an area known for producing concentrated, fruit-forward red wines. The Mediterranean-like climate, with hot days and cool nights, creates ideal conditions for ripening these powerful red varieties while maintaining balance.

Key Technical Specifications

The wine typically registers at approximately 14.1% alcohol by volume (ABV), placing it firmly in the full-bodied category. The winemaking approach emphasizes accessibility and immediate enjoyment rather than aging potential. Oak influence is evident but measured, providing vanilla and spice notes without overwhelming the fruit.

Tasting Snoop Dogg Cali Red: A Sensory Journey

Appearance, Aroma, and Taste Profile

In the glass, Cali Red displays a deep, intense purple-ruby color with near-opaque concentration. The substantial legs coating the glass signal both its body and alcohol content.

The nose offers generous aromas of ripe blackberry, black cherry, and blueberry compote, complemented by vanilla, mocha, and subtle baking spices from the oak influence. Notes of dark chocolate and licorice add complexity.

On the palate, the wine delivers an explosion of jammy dark fruits – blackberry, plum, and black cherry dominate. The mid-palate reveals layers of vanilla bean, milk chocolate, and subtle coffee notes. What distinguishes Cali Red is its approachable sweetness – it finishes with noticeable residual sugar balanced by soft tannins and subtle acidity.

This is a full-bodied wine with a plush, velvety texture. The tannins are present but well-integrated, providing just enough structure without astringency. The finish is surprisingly long, with lingering notes of chocolate-covered berries and baking spices.

Pairing and Enjoying Snoop Dogg Cali Red

Cali Red’s bold profile and subtle sweetness make it ideal for foods with equally robust flavors. The wine shines alongside classic American comfort foods and barbecue – slow-smoked brisket, pulled pork, or baby back ribs with sweet-spicy sauce create perfect harmony with the wine’s fruit-forward character.

For casual pairings, try gourmet burgers (especially with blue cheese or caramelized onions), hearty stews, chili, or meat lover’s pizza. For cheese, reach for aged cheddar, gouda, or moderate blue cheese.

Serve Cali Red slightly below room temperature, around 60-65°F (16-18°C), to control the perception of alcohol and sweetness. A brief 15-minute decant before serving helps open up the aromatics, but extended aeration isn’t necessary.

The Story and Impact: Behind the Bottle

Marketing a Cultural Icon: Snoop’s Influence on the Brand

The success of Cali Red stems from its authentic connection to Snoop Dogg’s persona. Rather than simply lending his name, Snoop’s identity is integrated into every aspect – from California sourcing to the bold, slightly sweet style that mirrors his music approach.

The augmented reality label represents one of the most innovative aspects, allowing Snoop’s image to come alive and speak directly to consumers through the Living Wine Labels app.

The wine’s popularity has led to expanding the partnership with subsequent releases including Cali Rosé and Cali Blanc. This success has helped 19 Crimes attract younger consumers to wine – people who might otherwise choose spirits or beer.

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