Rolfe, Strife, and Pinotage

The land of wine stretches down towards the Mason-Dixon line. When the culture of John Rolfe's tobacco ended in Virginia, perhaps the culture of dark wines ensued. Pinotage - the child of Pinot Noir and Cinsault was expressed wonderfully with the Lovingston Winery Rotunda Red 2011, PInotage - Cab Franc Blend.

This drank soft, with a leathery-tobacco palate and an inky black lettuce succulence.  Pinotage, which is quite unique, isn't as audacious as Pinot Noir because it is bred with a blending grape, Cinsault. The finish was short and inviting. The terroir of Virginia seems to be consistent, leathery and dark, sort of as if the soil was primed with centuries of tobacco farming.

The vineyard itself is as followed: