19 Crimes Snoop Dog Cali Red

19 Crimes Snoop Dogg Cali Red is a California red blend from Lodi bottled at 14.1% ABV in a 750ml format. A collaboration between hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg and Treasury Wine Estates, this wine brings together three distinct grape varieties — Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and Merlot — into a bold, fruit-forward blend that has become one of the best-selling celebrity wines in the United States.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.1%  |  Origin: Lodi, California, USA  |  Style: Red Blend (NV)  |  Producer: Treasury Wine Estates

Production & Heritage

The 19 Crimes brand draws its name from the eighteen crimes that, during the 18th and 19th centuries, could sentence British convicts to transportation to Australia. Treasury Wine Estates, one of the world's largest wine companies, launched the label in 2012 and introduced the Snoop Dogg Cali Red in 2020, shifting the brand's sourcing from Australia to California for this expression. The blend is composed of 65% Petite Sirah, 30% Zinfandel, and 5% Merlot, all sourced from Lodi — a warm-climate appellation in California's Central Valley known for producing ripe, concentrated red wines. The wine is aged in American oak barrels, which contribute vanilla and toasted wood character to the finished blend. The bottle also features an augmented reality label that animates through the Living Wine Labels app, a technology integration that became a signature element of the collaboration.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark cherry and blackberry dominate the nose, backed by layers of vanilla and a subtle tobacco-smoke quality. As the wine opens, candied raspberry and warm oak spice emerge.

Taste: The entry is rich with dark and blue fruit character driven by the Petite Sirah, while the Zinfandel contributes bright, slightly candied red fruit at the mid-palate. Toasted oak weaves through the fruit, adding structure and a touch of baking spice. The Merlot rounds out the blend with soft tannins and a plush mouthfeel.

Finish: Medium in length with a slightly sweet impression and lingering notes of vanilla and dark cherry. The tannins are gentle and the oak influence stays balanced, leaving a warm, approachable close.

How to Drink Cali Red

Cali Red drinks well at a slightly cool room temperature, around 60–65°F, and benefits from 10–15 minutes of breathing time after opening. Its fruit-forward, slightly sweet profile also makes it a natural fit for cocktails. A Red Wine Spritz — with sparkling water and a splash of elderflower liqueur — plays off the candied fruit notes nicely. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) works here because the wine's bold dark fruit stands up to the cola's sweetness. For a twist on a New York Sour, float Cali Red over a whiskey sour to add berry depth and color contrast.

Best For

• Introducing red wine to someone who usually prefers sweeter drinks
• Backyard barbecues and casual cookouts where crowd appeal matters
• A novelty gift for Snoop Dogg fans or pop-culture enthusiasts
• Weeknight dinners with grilled meats or hearty pasta dishes

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cali Red taste like? Cali Red is a fruit-forward red blend with prominent dark cherry, blackberry, and candied raspberry flavors layered over vanilla and toasted oak. The finish carries a slightly sweet impression with soft, approachable tannins.

How does Cali Red compare to Meiomi Pinot Noir? Both wines occupy a similar price tier and appeal to drinkers who enjoy fruit-driven, easy-drinking reds, but they differ significantly in structure. Cali Red is a heavier, more tannic blend led by Petite Sirah and Zinfandel, while Meiomi is a lighter-bodied Pinot Noir with brighter acidity and red-fruit focus.

Is Cali Red good for beginners? Yes — its fruit-forward profile, soft tannins, and slightly sweet finish make it one of the more accessible red wines on the market. It requires no decanting or special glassware to enjoy.

Where is Cali Red made? Cali Red is produced by Treasury Wine Estates using grapes sourced from Lodi, a warm-climate appellation in California's Central Valley known for robust red varietals, particularly Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.

What foods pair well with Cali Red? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the wine's dark fruit and oak; pepperoni or sausage pizza echoes its spice notes; aged cheddar balances the fruit sweetness; barbecue ribs with a sweet glaze mirror the wine's slightly sweet finish; and dark chocolate brownies pair naturally with the blackberry and vanilla character.

What sizes does Cali Red come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, and it is also available in a 375ml half-bottle format in select markets.

Is Cali Red worth the price? Cali Red positions as an entry-level red blend, and at its price tier it delivers solid fruit concentration and oak complexity that competes well against other everyday California reds. The novelty of the augmented reality label and Snoop Dogg branding adds collectibility that some buyers find adds to the value.

Why Cali Red?

What separates this bottle from the crowded field of celebrity wines is that it actually works as a wine, not just as a marketing exercise. The 65% Petite Sirah backbone gives it genuine weight and color intensity that most budget red blends lack, while the Zinfandel component — Lodi's signature grape — contributes a bright, spicy lift that keeps the palate engaged. American oak aging adds enough vanilla and toast to give the wine structure without overwhelming the fruit. For a widely available, affordably priced California red blend, Cali Red delivers more complexity than its price tier typically promises.