Norman Hardie County Cabernet Franc 2012, VQA Prince Edward County
Critic Reviews (4)
This wine is a true post-modern marvel of full, fleshy, ripe flavours and lifted, perfumed aromatics that draw you in...
Hardie's 2012 Cabernet Franc comes of age out of a preternatural and ontological perfect storm. Casts odds into the...
This a taut but not austere young cabernet franc grown in the Foster Vineyard on Greer Road adjacent to Norman...
Twine, earth and sappy branch notes on the nose. The tart palate of cranberry, red currant and raspberry finished...
Community Reviews (8)
As usual Norm Hardie nails it. Complex, refreshing, light, textured...this is everything at once. Pinot flavors (cranberry, strawberry) meshed with a little of the grip and savoury intrigue of Chinon. Just an excellent and eminently drinkable wine. The perfect red to drink all spring and summer, with or without food, with casual drinkers or wine enthusiasts alike. Possibly even better than his pinots, and cheaper too. Phenomenal.
It starts with a distinctive prune flavour, with that unique Norman Hardie terroir taste in the background. It develops into a wonderful, complex symphony by the third glass. I recommend this more for when you have time to really appreciate it rather than as a casual sipping wine.
Light bodied and elegant - very floral with a perfumed quality. strawberries and roses, a rose bomb really, jump out of the glass. There is the slightest touch of barnyard more akin to decomposing leaves. It is not herbaceous (more herbal notes) or leafy but it's still Cabernet Franc in the glass. The acids are medium minus, the alcohol is light. The palate had more of the juicy berries, a touch of raspberry with some light spice. A deep appreciation grows with each subsequent glass.
Either Norm Hardie knows what he's doing or he's incredibly lucky (the former of course). Is there such a thing as a refreshing Cab Franc? In the glass there's an attractive pink hue on the edges. The nose is lifted with floral, funky and fruity notes. The palate delivers red fruit, pepper, spice, cinnamon and a savoury finish. Lighter body, tangy acidity, mild tannins and excellent length. Smooth. A good vintage, PEC limestone and adept winemaking coalesce. Great value here. July 2014.
An excellent cab franc. One can even sense his wonderful pinot noir in this.