Today's Wine Review
2023 Pollak Vineyards Merlot "Reserve"
Winery: Pollak Vineyards
Vintage: 2023
Wine Name/Vineyard: "Reserve"
Wine Category: Merlot
Grape blend: 100% Merlot
Bottle size: 750 ml
Region: Monticello
State or country: VA
Price: $60
Cases produced: 147
KWG Score: 94 (based on 1 review)
Ken's Wine Rating: Excellent (94)
Review date: August 30, 2026
Wine Review: This opaque and deep ruby colored Merlot from Pollak Vineyards is excellent! It opens with a blackberry and violets bouquet with hints of cedar and star anise. On the palate, this wine is full bodied with integrated medium plus acidity. The mouthfeel is nicely balanced, very smooth, dense, and seamless. The flavor profile is a blackberry and stony minerality blend with notes of black pepper and black licorice. We also detected hints of black tea, cedar, and dark chocolate brownie. The finish is dry, and its flavors, acidity, and moderate polished tannins are nicely extended. We would enjoy this wine by the fireplace. With food, we would pair this tasty Merlot with Korean beef bulgogi or with German chocolate cake. Enjoy - KWGTP
Winemaker Notes: The Merlot Reserve is blended after a meticulous selection of barrels from our best vineyard blocks, comprising of 80% clone 343 and 20% clone 181. The blending took place after 5 months of aging and secondary fermentation. The blended wine was then matured together for an additional 13 months in French oak barrels (50% new, 50% neutral). Today, the wine presents with aromas of cherry and other red fruits with a full mouthfeel and soft, voluptuous tannins.
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