The Artist series of wines from Hillebrand is an interesting concept, not unique by any stretch of the imagination, it is something championed by Chateau Mouton Rothschld and their famous artists who have designed labels for them over the years; but Hillebrand takes a different approach, they request submissions from artists all over Ontario and pick the best for their ‘artist series’ labels – a number of varietal wines, each with a different picture. Well, the “Still Standing” by Ashley J. Myers is about to get a whole lot more famous and will be adorning more tables in the coming months. It is this picture that was chosen for the 2005 Meritage and said wine just won the 2008 Cuvee award for best General List Red (at the LCBO). Juicy blackberries, vanilla, herbs, spices and raspberry jam greet the nose; while the blackberries and vanilla continue into the mouth … plenty of oak and tannins show up as well. I’d say there’s easily a few more years left in the bottle; as for the outside, what you do with your original work of art is strictly up to you. But as they great wine guru Yoda would say, “Collectible they are.”