Over at Cornerstone the traveling winemaker Andrzej Lipinski has taken over the reins and the wines are showing immediate improvement; I have to believe he had a hand in this one as well. This 26 month all new French and European oak aged Merlot is robust yet well-integrated. Aromas show off vanilla, cinnamon, cassis and blackberry, while the palate is darkly fruited with cassis and blueberry skin along with smoky-oaky notes and well-constructed tannins. One of the best Cornerstone wines I've tasted in quite some time. Price: $23.00 - Rating: ****+