STRATUS CHARDONNAY, 2021

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 1.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 294

Appearance: Straw colour.
Nose: Lightly toasty nose of apple and lemon zest with a leesy note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, apple and hazelnut flavours. Caressingly rich and round on the palate with great length.
Quality: 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.

Food Pairing: Tilapia with pesto and spinach, chicken Milanese, butter-poached lobster rolls with spicy garlic sauce, roasted pepper and mozzarella focaccia, and ravioli with sun-dried tomatoes.

STRATUS KABANG RED, 2018

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietals: Cabernet Franc (72%), Merlot (15%), Cabernet Sauvignon (13%)
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 12.4%
Residual Sugar: 3.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 196

Appearance: Semi-opaque. Ruby-garnet colour.
Nose: A nose of raspberry, blueberry, licorice, menthol, and cigar box.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, and medium body. Nicely structured with savoury elements of green pepper, green herbs, black tea, and a hint of pepper spice.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.

Food Pairing: Barbecued hamburgers with lemon aioli, smoked venison, grilled sunchokes with honey-fermented pomegranate seeds, spiced tuna with saffron, and French lentil salad with goat cheese.

STRATUS SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2021

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 12.8%
Residual Sugar: 0.17 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 294

Appearance: Pale straw in colour.
Nose: Lightly toasty, grassy, gooseberry nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, crisply dry, pear and lemon flavours. Well-balanced, dramatic acidity and a long citrus finish. Lovely mouth feel.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now and through 2024.

Food Pairing: Chicken souvlaki with tzatziki, caramelized scallops with lemon-butter, spinach and artichoke dip with baked pita, citrusy shrimp ceviche, and asparagus with hollandaise sauce.

STRATUS GAMAY, 2021

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Gamay
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 12.8%
Residual Sugar: 0.8 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 353

Appearance: Semi-opaque. Light ruby red colour.
Nose: Bold aromas of black cherry, savoury green herbs, and pepper spice.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Savoury notes of leather, cigar ash, baking spice, and hints of black pepper.
Quality: 92 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.

Awards:

• Silver – 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada

Food Pairing: Lamb curry, seared tuna with ponzu and red chiles, pork tenderloin with peach-mustard sauce, sweet potato gratin, and spanakopita.

STRATUS RIESLING, 2022

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 10.2%
Residual Sugar: 14.9 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 182

Appearance: Bright, straw colour.
Nose: Minerally, grapefruit nose with a hint of petrol.
Palate: Medium-bodied, a shade off-dry with citrus and honeyed flavours, finishing on a long green apple note.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Drink now, but can be held for 5+ years.

Food Pairing: Spicy salmon rolls with avocado, ham and gruyere French toast sandwiches, roasted lemon-pepper chicken wings, baked falafel over rice and lentils, and steamed mussels with tomato and garlic sauce.

STRATUS MERLOT, 2019

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Merlot
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13.4%
Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 316

Appearance: Deep ruby in colour.
Nose: Cedary, spicy, black plum bouquet with vanilla oak notes.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied, dry, somewhat austere and savoury as if the fruit is still sleeping. Firmly structured.
Quality: 89 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+ / Outstanding. Needs cellaring for a couple of years.

Awards:

• Bronze – 2022 National Wine Awards of Canada

Food Pairing: Truffle risotto, skirt steak with paprika butter, shiitake mushroom and cheese dip, pan-seared duck breast with blueberry sauce, and chargrilled oysters with parmesan-dusted asparagus.

STRATUS CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ, 2022

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara Peninsula
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13.4%
Residual Sugar: 1.6 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 510

Appearance: Semi-opaque. Bright. Pale salmon colour.
Nose: A fruit-forward nose of black cherry, strawberry, pear, and hints of peach.
Palate: Medium acid, medium body. Tantalizing flavours of strawberry, cranberry, stone fruit, and lemon zest. Nicely balanced.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.

Food Pairing: Barbecued vegetable skewers, bouillabaisse, pan-roasted salmon with tomato vinaigrette, smoked gouda and mushroom quesadilla, and hasselback potatoes with creamy yogurt sauce.

STRATUS RED, 2019

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietals: Cabernet Franc (31%), Merlot (21%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Petit Verdot (19%), Tannat (4%), Syrah (3%), Malbec (2%)
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13.3%
Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 1,419

Appearance: Deep purple in colour.
Nose: Cedary, slightly smoky nose of black fruits.
Palate: Full-bodied, dry, richly extracted flavours of plum, blackberry, and blackcurrant. Beautifully balanced and harmonious, with ripe tannins.
Quality: 93 – 95 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Can be consumed with pleasure now but will reward cellaring for 2 –3 years.

Awards:

• Silver – 2022 National Wine Awards of Canada

Food Pairing: Fried wild mushrooms with parmesan, veggie burgers with aged cheddar, pork tenderloin with blackberry merlot sauce, spicy sausage and caramelized onion pizza, and smoked pork roast.

STRATUS "FIELD BLEND" ANCESTRAL, 2022

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietals: Riesling (57%), Chardonnay (28%), Sauvignon Blanc (15%)
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 11.7%
Residual Sugar: 2.7 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 340

Appearance: Hazy, unfiltered. Golden hay colour.
Nose: Delicate aromas of lemon, baked bread, and green apple.
Palate: Medium acid, light- to medium-bodied. Notes of lemon, orange, and pear with light effervescence.
Quality: 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding.

Awards:

• Bronze – 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada

Food Pairing: Lemon-garlic smoked salmon, coq au vin, baked brie with brown sugar and Dijon mustard, pesto linguini with mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes, and ahi poké with quinoa.

STRATUS CABERNET FRANC, 2020

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 14.7%
Residual Sugar: 0.4 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 540

Appearance: Semi-opaque. Dark ruby-purple colour.
Nose: Beautiful bouquet of violets, licorice, savoury green herbs, and a hint of menthol.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dry. Rich flavours of dark cherry, black plum, cassis, green vegetal notes, and rosemary. Great structure and balance.
Quality: 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Decant and drink now or hold for 2-3 years.

Awards:

• Silver – 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada

Food Pairing: Sweet and sour spare ribs, tandoori chicken, filet mignon with mushroom gravy, onion jam and goat cheese rugelach, and smoky black bean burgers.

STRATUS CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2019

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13.7%
Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 409

Appearance: Semi-opaque. Dark purple-ruby colour.
Nose: Intense aromatics of black licorice with hints of barnyard.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Savoury notes of blackcurrant, dark cherry, black tea, black peppercorn, and a hint of smoke. Firm tannins.
Quality: 90 – 91 points – Wine Club Canada. Outstanding. Decant well and drink now or hold 1-2 years.

Food Pairing: Vegan enchiladas, braised beef short ribs with a red wine sauce, rosemary-braised lamb shanks, spaghetti Bolognese, and French onion soup.

STRATUS ALTO RED, 2021

Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.

Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietals: Cabernet Franc (37%), Cabernet Sauvignon (24%), Merlot (12%), Sauvignon Blanc (10%), Viognier (5%), Syrah (5%), Semillon (5%), Sangiovese (2%)
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Alcohol: 13.7%
Residual Sugar: 0.1 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 497

Appearance: Shining ruby colour.
Nose: Spicy, cherry and plum bouquet with vanilla oak notes.
Palate: Earthy, rustic flavours of black fruits, firmly structured with evident tannins.
Quality: 89 – 90 points – Wine Club Canada. Very Good+ / Outstanding. Can be consumed now, but another year in bottle will soften the tannins.

Food Pairing: Mushroom-stuffed pork roast, deep dish lasagna, teriyaki chicken and broccoli casserole, smoked tofu pad Thai, and rib-eye steak with buttery mashed potatoes.