Idaho Panhandle winemaker Stephen Meyer helped promote the consumer-conscious proprietary red blend concept starting in the 1990s, and he continues to rely on fruit from the Columbia Valley in order to maintain the profile at this price point. The combination changes from vintage to vintage (in 2012 it led with Merlot), so here it is Cabernet Sauvignon (28%), Merlot (24%) then Syrah (16%), followed by Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Zinfandel and Malbec. It offers a food-friendly, Old World theme of cassis, dusty blueberry and cranberry with hints of cedar and menthol and a structure focused on juicy acidity rather than tannin. How successful has Meyer been with this? He used it to launch Pend d’Oreille Winery’s nationally recognized Think Green/Drink Red refillable bottle program in Sandpoint. Then, he and his wife, Julie, named their on-premise restaurant The Bistro Rouge. Enjoy with their spicy beef sliders or smoked chicken wings.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 880 cases
Alcohol: 14.3%
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