Earthy aromas of mushrooms, leather, basil are abound. Hints of cherry, raspberry and whispers of smoke and black pepper are also available in this complex layered bouquet. A sip rewards the palate with a silky, elegant feeling wine. Flavours of raspberry, red cherry and cranberry are first to arrive. There’s a marvelous mineral undertone next, and some fresh basil flavours. The wine’s acidity makes it feel juicy, and the tannins are smooth and refined. A long finish echos the initial attack, leaving the mouth with memories of raspberry and echoes of minerality, herbaceousness. This is an outstanding wine that clearly demonstrates PEC is one of Canada’s premier winemaking regions, capable of creating world class wines.

So light you can almost mistake it for a rose, but the nose is unmistakably Pinot Noir, with sour cherry and raspberry facing off against funky Pinot character, backed up by some smoky oak. The palate delivers the Burgundian-style wine that the nose would hint at, with lots of rhubarb, sour cherry and raspberry characteristics, earthy, mushroomy flavours, a nice smokiness, and firm minerality. Nice length, and manages to get across a sense of concentration despite being as light-bodied as it is. Definitely one of the better Pinot Noirs from Ontario I've had.

very light in colour, almost rose. I'm a fan of Norman Hardie's Pinots, but I think this bottling is not as strong as other vintages and not as strong as the blended Niagara/PEC bottlings. maybe as the PEC vineyards mature they will get better.. Global warming should help too.