Pollak Vineyards, Monticello (Virginia) Merlot 2010

This is an excellent wine that is very nearly outstanding, which it may yet become if it picks up a little more aromatic expressiveness as it ages in bottle.  But don’t get me wrong:  This is a wine that clearly earned its lofty award from SDIWC, based on its exceptional combination of complexity and integration.  It shows lovely fruit recalling black plums as well as red and black berries, with admirably subtle support from oak but no overt woodiness.  And as for my initial comment, this earns 92 from for now, but it could get into the mid-nineties, which is pretty damned impressive from anywhere, much less Virginia. Platinum Award winner at the 2013 San Diego International Wine Competition.