Stratus Vineyards | 2021
Niagara, Ontario
Located in the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Stratus Vineyards is a gravity flow winery, distinguished by its LEED-certified facility, its commitment to sustainability and wines of outstanding quality.
Known as one of Niagara’s winemaking pioneers, J-L (Jean-Laurent) Groux brought his vision of creating premium New World wines through the Old World art of assemblage to Stratus. Using the vineyard as his palette, he creates complexity through diversity by blending several grape varieties into one layered and richly textured wine. J-L crafts his wines to have powerful aromatics, a round mouthfeel, complexity, significant length and the capability of aging at least seven to 10 years. This allows wine lovers to taste the benefits of patience and time.
Wines included this month
August 2021
WEATHER REPORT VIOGNIER, 2019
WEATHER REPORT CABERNET FRANC, 2018
WEATHER REPORT CHARDONNAY, 2017
WEATHER REPORT RED, 2018
STRATUS SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2018
STRATUS GAMAY, 2019
WEATHER REPORT VIOGNIER, 2019
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Viognier
Vineyard: Stratus Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.2%
Residual Sugar: 0 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 287
Appearance: Pale straw in colour.
Nose: Peach pit bouquet with light honeysuckle and mineral notes.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, white peach, apricot and floral flavours with a tangy acidic finish.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now or hold for a year to allow the bouquet to become more expressive.
Critic Rating: 90 points - Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Louisiana-style blackened chicken on rice, ginger salmon with cucumber and lime sauce, baked sweet potato with sour cream, curried lamb chops with peach chutney, and turkey salad with cranberries and apples.
WEATHER REPORT CABERNET FRANC, 2018
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Stratus Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.9%
Residual Sugar: 3.7 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 217
Appearance: Ruby colour.
Nose: Cedary, toasty, baked plum bouquet with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, lean, red plum flavour and lively acidity, finishing firmly with ripe tannins.
Quality: Very Good+. Hold and drink 2022 – 2024.
Critic Rating: 89 points - Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Italian sausage with green and red peppers, beef ribs with molasses and bourbon sauce, roasted artichokes with parmesan, duck pizza with hoisin sauce, and baked Camembert with soft pretzels.
WEATHER REPORT CHARDONNAY, 2017
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Stratus Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.4%
Residual Sugar: 1.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 254
Appearance: Light gold in colour with a greenish tint.
Nose: Toasty apple nose with oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied, mature, apple flavour with well-integrated oak; harmonious and well-balanced with acidity.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now, through 2022.
Critic Rating: 90 points - Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Shrimp-stuffed pasta shells, corn and zucchini succotash, smoked salmon crostini with dill aioli, pumpkin and ricotta lasagne with sage, and fried chicken and waffles.
WEATHER REPORT RED, 2018
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Syrah (35%), Merlot (29%), Tempranillo (21%), Cabernet Franc (15%)
Vineyard: Stratus Vineyard
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 0 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 217
Appearance: Mature ruby colour.
Nose: Peppery, cherry nose with vanilla oak notes.
Palate: Medium-bodied, dry, sour cherry and red plum flavours, firmly structured, ripe tannins; nicely balanced with acidity.
Quality: Very Good+. Drink now through 2023.
Critic Rating: 89 points - Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Gouda and lamb poutine, smoked pork with apples, vegetable biryani, roasted Dijon chicken breast with pancetta, and rabbit cacciatore with polenta.
STRATUS SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2018
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Stratus Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.2%
Residual Sugar: 0.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 142
Appearance: Light straw colour.
Nose: Grassy, gooseberry nose with a floral top note.
Palate: Medium-bodied, crisply dry, green plum and gooseberry flavours. Long, fresh finish.
Quality: Outstanding. Drink now through 2023.
Critic Rating: 90 points - Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Buffalo chicken flatbread, baked avocado fries with Greek yogurt dip, grilled tilapia with tomato and olive tapenade, pesto lobster roll, and scallop sliders with tartar sauce.
STRATUS GAMAY, 2019
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Gamay
Vineyard: Stratus Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.2%
Residual Sugar: 0 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 470
Appearance: Ruby colour.
Nose: Struck flint, peppery, cherry nose.
Palate: Light-to-medium-bodied, dry, cherry and cranberry flavours with lively acidity. A firmly-structured, chillable red.
Quality: Very Good+. Drink now through 2022.
Critic Rating: 89 points - Tony Aspler
Food Pairing: Cajun shrimp pasta, fried calamari with sweet chili sauce, cream cheese and spinach-stuffed jalapeños, plank salmon with cinnamon-dusted squash, and turkey meatloaf with balsamic glaze.
STRATUS MERLOT, 2017
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Merlot
Vineyard: Stratus Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.1%
Residual Sugar: 0 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 280
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Garnet red core.
Nose: Cherry, blackberry, violets, menthol, licorice, smoke, and black pepper.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dark cherry, black currant, earth, green herbs, smoke, green pepper, and black pepper spice. Well balanced and expressive.
Quality: 90 points. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Flatbread with brie and blackberry compote, chocolate cream pie, pan-fried veal with tarragon aioli, flank steak with chipotle and rhubarb salsa, and herbed garlic bread.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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When was Stratus Vineyards | 2021 featured?
It was featured in August 2021.
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