14 Hands Hot to Trot Red Blend

14 Hands Hot to Trot Red Blend is a 750ml, 13.5% ABV red wine blend from Columbia Valley, Washington, built around Merlot and Syrah with supporting red varieties. The wine earned a Gold medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition for its 2020 vintage and has been recognized by Wine Spectator as an "American Value Red."

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Columbia Valley, Washington  |  Style: Red Blend  |  Winery: 14 Hands Winery

Production & Heritage

14 Hands Winery takes its name from the wild horses that once roamed the high bluffs above the Columbia River in eastern Washington. Hot to Trot is their flagship red blend, built predominantly from Merlot and Syrah with additional lots of Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, and other red varieties — the exact proportions shifting with each vintage. Red varieties are gently destemmed into traditional upright fermenters, where fermentation on the skins runs five to seven days with twice-daily pumpovers to extract color and flavor. The wine then ages for over ten months in a combination of stainless steel tanks and neutral French and American oak — a deliberate choice that preserves bright fruit character while adding subtle structural complexity without heavy oak influence.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright cherry and red currant lead, followed by ripe blackberry and a subtle thread of clove. There is a gentle warmth underneath, with faint suggestions of hickory smoke as the wine opens up in the glass.

Taste: The entry is juicy and medium-bodied, with cherry pie and ripe plum flavors dominating the front palate. At mid-palate, darker berry notes emerge alongside subtle hints of almond and sage. The wine is slightly dry with balanced acidity that keeps the fruit from tipping into sweetness.

Finish: Moderate in length, with baking spice — cinnamon and a touch of clove — lingering alongside soft plum and berry. The neutral oak aging shows here as a gentle roundness rather than any overt vanilla or toast character.

How to Drink Hot to Trot

This is a versatile, crowd-friendly red that works well at a slight chill (around 60–65°F) or at full room temperature. It does not demand decanting but benefits from a few minutes of air in the glass. It holds up nicely in a Classic Sangria, where the bright cherry and berry notes shine through citrus and fruit additions. It also works in a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola), where the wine's spice and dark fruit stand up to the sweetness. For a warm-weather option, try it in a Red Wine Spritzer with sparkling water and a squeeze of orange — the wine's acidity and fruit keep it refreshing.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners when you want a reliable, food-friendly red without overthinking it
• Casual gatherings and barbecues where a crowd-pleasing pour is needed
• Introducing someone to Washington state red blends at an accessible entry point
• Building a value-tier wine collection with gold medal-winning selections

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hot to Trot taste like? Hot to Trot is a medium-bodied, slightly dry red with dominant flavors of ripe cherry, plum, and dark berries, finishing with warm baking spice notes like cinnamon and clove. It emphasizes bright, fresh fruit over heavy oak.

How does Hot to Trot compare to Apothic Red? Both are popular, approachable red blends at a similar value tier, but Hot to Trot tends to be drier and more fruit-forward with noticeable acidity, while Apothic Red leans sweeter with more prominent vanilla and chocolate notes from its oak regimen. Hot to Trot also uses primarily Washington state fruit, whereas Apothic Red sources from California.

Is Hot to Trot good for beginners? Yes — its medium body, ripe fruit flavors, and soft tannins make it an approachable introduction to red blends without the intensity of a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or heavily oaked wine.

Where is Hot to Trot made? Hot to Trot is produced by 14 Hands Winery in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington state, one of the largest and most prolific wine-growing regions in the Pacific Northwest, known for warm days and cool nights that allow grapes to develop concentrated fruit flavors while retaining acidity.

What foods pair well with Hot to Trot? Grilled burgers or barbecue ribs work well, as the wine's berry fruit and spice complement smoky, charred flavors. Roasted chicken with herbs matches the wine's medium weight. Pizza — especially with sausage or mushroom toppings — is a natural pairing. Aged cheddar or Gouda bring out the wine's subtle baking spice notes. A simple pasta with marinara sauce keeps things easy and balanced.

What sizes does Hot to Trot come in? Hot to Trot Red Blend is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Hot to Trot worth the price? Hot to Trot positions squarely in the entry-level value tier, and its Gold medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and recognition by Wine Spectator as an "American Value Red" suggest it consistently punches above its price point within the competitive everyday red blend category.

Why Hot to Trot?

What separates Hot to Trot from the crowded field of value red blends is the deliberate restraint in its winemaking. The use of neutral oak and stainless steel rather than new barrels preserves the natural fruit character of the Columbia Valley fruit, resulting in a wine that tastes like ripe berries and spice rather than sawdust and vanilla extract. Gold medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition across multiple vintages — including 2018 and 2020 — confirm that the quality is consistent, not a one-off. For a wine at this price tier, that kind of repeatability is what matters most.