At a glance

Producer

Norman Hardie

Region

Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

Grape variety

Pinot Noir

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Earthy

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

Approximately $40-$60 USD

Tasting profile

Cherry, strawberry, earthy forest floor, subtle spice notes

Evolution: Over next 5 years, expect deeper earthiness, mushroom, leather, with fading primary red fruit

At peak: Complex layers of red fruit, mushroom, forest aromas, silky tannins, balanced acidity and lingering finish.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-high, bright and refreshing

Tannins

Medium, fine-grained and supple

Alcohol

13.5-14%

Aging potential

8-12 years from vintage given producer and wine style

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2024 to 2028

Optimal window

2022 to 2030

Current status

Approaching early maturity

Current condition

Wine is showing good development of primary fruit with emerging tertiary notes of earth and spice, still vibrant and fresh.

Norman Hardie's County Unfiltered Pinot Noir is crafted from Prince Edward County's cool climate grapes with minimal intervention. The 2018 vintage was favorable, offering ripe yet balanced fruit and good natural acidity. The unfiltered style preserves texture and aromas, allowing the wine to gain complexity during moderate cellaring. The drinking window reflects a balance between early fruit brightness and longer-term earthiness development typical for premium cool-climate Pinot Noir.

Food pairing

Pairs beautifully with roasted duck, wild mushrooms, grilled salmon, herb-roasted chicken, and soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert.

Serving

Serving temperature

14-16°C / 57-61°F

Decant

Yes (30-60 minutes) — Decanting helps integrate tannins and aromatics, especially for unfiltered wine to soften and reveal complexity.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Norman Hardie employs sustainable viticulture with minimal chemical interventions, promotes biodiversity, utilizes renewable energy sources and water conservation technologies at winery. Packaging uses lightweight glass and recyclable materials.

Norman Hardie prioritizes sustainability through vineyard practices emphasizing soil health and biodiversity, energy efficient winery operations, water management, and reduced packaging waste. Local production reduces carbon emissions associated with longer transport. These efforts align with a meaningful grade 8/10 on sustainability.