Bitner Vineyards 2012 Menopause Merlot, Snake River Valley, $30
One of the fastest-selling red wines in Idaho each year is Caldwell vintner Mary Bitner’s Menopause Merlot, and this is the fifth release of this rather delicious red with the zany label. The design is created each year by Central Oregon artist Jill Haney-Neal, whose work hangs in Anthony’s Restaurants and gets applied to bottles of Kiona Vineyards’ Vivacious Vicky. Inside this example of Merlot off Bitner Vineyard in the Sunnyslope Wine District are aromas and flavors of black cherries, vanilla and cocoa powder. Thanks to the winemaking of longtime neighbor Greg Koenig, the beveled edges to the tannin structure make this rather easy drinking.
Rating: Recommended
Production: 145 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
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