Pella Thomas Se Dolland Stellenbosch Pinotage 2009 59 - 82 Points

Super Single Vineyards

From an extablished old bushvines planted in 1960, yielding a mere 3 tons per hectare, bright, ruby red with slight garnet rim.

Traces of brettanomyces evident, hence the 59 points rating, shadowing layers of dark ripe plums, cassis, blackberry, good ripeness defintion for a Pinotage, delicate stony character, with cedar, graphite and tobacco note from the 24 months spent in 100 % new oak barrels, very well integrated.

Dry with savoury black olives and herbal note, medium plus tannin, combination of grape and oak tannins, may be integrated with time, slight overextraction lending some hard edges, dark red fruits compote follows through, integrated high alcohol of 14% abv, medium plus acidity, lending good freshness.

Would have been a very interesting Pinotage if it was not for the brettanomyces, and the over extraction combined with high alcohol, especially considering the pedigree and age of the vineyards, a heritage in itself, nevertheless consumers out there that can tolerate brett spoilage, this is a solid 82 points!