The October, 2009 issue of Food & Wine Magazine gives the results of their 12th Annual American Wine Awards. A 33-member panel of sommeliers, critics, winemakers and retailers blind tasted wines in 20 different categories and awarded the Pride Mountain Vineyards 2006 Merlot ($56) as "the best American merlot at any price". Boy does that feel good! Especially since the 2006 red wines are the first that the winemaking team of Sally Johnson (head winemaker), Romel Rivera (associate winemaker) and Steve Pride have crafted together. What feels even better is that we know this is just a first verification of the many good things coming your way. Wait until you open the profoundly unctuous 2007 Merlot that is about to be shipped. Yowza! And the 2008 Merlot coming down the pike is quite simply mind blowing...we have never had such concentrated flavors in our Merlot before. Enjoy!