I trust you all read my review about another Norman Hardie wine a few weeks back (2005 Riesling) – but wait, you’re saying, this is a Carmela Estates wine, not a Norman Hardie; well it just so happens that Norman Hardie is the winemaker of Carmela also. The 2004 Pinot Noir is as simple as it is delicious – made from Niagara Pinot there’s plenty of dark fruit on the nose and some sour cherry, mixing it up with earth and vanilla notes. On the tongue, it’s even simpler, strawberry, black cherry and well integrated oak with light drying tannins. Easy drinking and tasty, this is one fine Pinot … and proved well-matched with some strong cheese – say a 5 year old cheddar … yum!