You don’t usually see a wine that has won double gold at the same awards – and when I say “double gold” I mean two years in a row (Cuvee 2007 and 2008) … an even more fascinating fact is that the actual winemaker was not around to receive the award either time (in 2007 he was with Fiedling and 2008 with Stoney Ridge). Ray Cornell, the maker of this beauty, claims that it is the best Merlot he ever made at Hernder – and quite possible the best wine he has ever made there period (a reign that lasted from more than a decade). Now you have a second chance to experience this award winning wine. Smooth and supple, after a few years of bottle age, the nose has blackberries with a bit of a pruny/jammy middle … There’s cassis, nutmeg and vanilla-oak on the palate … some tannins are still present leaving me with the thought that there’s possibly another 2 years of ageing potential –maybe more - (I’ve hidden a bottle and will try it again in 2010). There’s also a long lingering finish, which stays behind once the wine has passed through the mouth. Pleasant and affordable, what everybody’s looking for in a good Merlot. Since nobody else is gonna do it, let me just says “Congrats Ray” – and then let’s leave it at that … whether the same wine can be entered in the same competition two years in a row is up to the Cuvee committee.