Giddy-up! This engaging, inviting wine has oodles of strawberry-rhubarb, raspberry, red cherry, and orange peel to offer, along with a bright, fresh, crisp acidity that builds to a lip-smacking finish. Pair with pulled pork, barbecued ribs, or turkey burgers.
Stratus 2021 is a vegan-friendly red wine blend produced from sustainably grown Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec grapes sourced from the Niagara on the Lake wine region. Dry, medium-plus-bodied, bold and vibrant, the wine is fragrant with crushed black raspberry, dried sweet tobacco leaf, dark chocolate, savoury herb, vanilla and toasty oak spice flavours long and generous on the palate with a flinty mineral finish. The wine spent 18 months in French oak barrels and is an absolutely stunning red wine crafted by local winemaker J-L Groux. Drink: 2024-2028. Score - 94. (nataliemaclean.com, Nov. 16, 2024)
The blend for this white assemblage consists of 63% Chardonnay, 17% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Sémillon, and a bit of Viognier. It's aged for 348 days in a combination of barrels and amphora. The blending process, sourced from a dizzying array of white grape varieties grown at the estate, ensures a unique wine every vintage. The 2022 doesn't disappoint with a vivid nose of concentrated pear, apricot, lemon verbena, lanolin, some tropical accents, nectarine, herbs and just a hint of spice. It has lovely texture on the palate with a mélange of juicy and rich nectarine, melon, guava, pear, lemon zest, apricot, herbaceous notes and all leading to a long, luxurious finish with mouth-watering acidity keeping it all fresh and finessed. Lovely drop. Score - 94. (Rick VanSickle, winesinniagara.com, Nov. 7, 2024)
This wine was sourced from mature vines that were part of the original Stratus plantings dating back to 1985. Crafted in a mix of neutral oak and stainless steel, it opens up with aromas of lemon oil, wet stone, hazelnut, gingersnap, fresh cream and freesia, while the palate delivers ripe pear, baked apple and spice, all lifted by brilliant acidity.
85% new oak. Supple and expressive with tangerine, pear and apricot notes. Has some spiciness with a bit of fine toastiness. Has developed really nicely. Very subtle green hints and nice fine toasty notes. Lots of life in this still. Score - 92. (Jamie Goode, wineanorak.com, Aug. 11, 2024)
A bowl of mixed berries is what you get with your first sniff of this wine, followed by a puff of orange-vanilla pipe tobacco smoke. You'll find blueberry, lemon pith and massive balsa wood flavors on the leathery palate. The wine's acidity is overshadowed by tannins as chewy as beef jerky. Score - 89. (Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast, July 1, 2024)
Stratus Alto 2023 is an amazingly diverse red wine blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with splashes of Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Semillon, Syrah and Sangiovese grapes. Look for blue and red fruit, cherry, earthy and pepper spice notes juicy and fresh on the palate. This label features the meteorological symbol for the altostratus cloud; a mid-level, gray or blue-gray cloud that usually covers the whole sky that indicates a change (in weather) is on its way. Food pairings: veal chops, grilled chicken, duck confit. Score - 90. (nataliemaclean.com, Oct. 5, 2024)
Complex and intense with liqourice, lemons, wax and sour cherries, with keen acidity under the bold fruit. There's a lot going on here: a weighty wine with lots of flavour, high acidity and a dry finish. Score - 92. (Jamie Goode, wineanorak.com, July 31, 2022)
Few do varietal Petit Verdot quite like French-born and -trained winemaker J-L Groux.Expect impressively layered notes of red berry and red-fruit jam with spice, minerality, and impeccable framing tannins. A good choice tonight with beef stew or your favourite cut of steak, this wine will also reward patience and be well worth following through 2035 and beyond.
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