![Stratus Vineyards - WineClub.ca](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG-8131-scaled.jpg)
Stratus Vineyards
We were proud to feature Stratus Vineyards in February 2024.
Stratus Vineyards is the first LEED-certified winery in the world and is committed to sustainability and crafting wines with a gentle touch. Stratus’ 55-acre vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake is planted with 16 grape varietals, allowing them to embrace diversity for complexity and produce their signature Stratus White and Stratus Red alongside a range of small-lot single varietal bottlings.
Winemakers J-L Groux and Dean Stoyka combine traditional techniques with innovation and ingenuity to expertly craft wines with powerful aromatics, a round mouthfeel, complexity, significant length, and long-term aging capability.
Wines included in your package:
Enthusiast Red & White: 2021 Stratus Chardonnay, 2018 Stratus Kabang Red
Enthusiast Red Only: 2018 Stratus Kabang Red, 2021 Stratus Gamay
Enthusiast White Only: 2021 Stratus Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Stratus Riesling
Expert Red & White: 2021 Stratus Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Stratus Cabernet Franc Rosé, 2019 Stratus Merlot
Expert Red Only: 2019 Stratus Red, 2019 Stratus Merlot, 2021 Stratus Gamay
Expert White Only: 2022 Stratus “Field Blend” Ancestral, 2021 Stratus Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Stratus Riesling
Master Red & White: 2022 Stratus “Field Blend” Ancestral, 2021 Stratus Chardonnay, 2022 Stratus Riesling, 2019 Stratus Red, 2019 Stratus Merlot, 2021 Stratus Gamay
Master Red Only: 2021 Stratus Alto Red, 2021 Stratus Gamay, 2019 Stratus Merlot, 2019 Stratus Red, 2020 Stratus Cabernet Franc, 2019 Stratus Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes
![2021 Stratus Chardonnay](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2021StratusChardonnay-e1704918441928.png)
STRATUS CHARDONNAY, 2021
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/stratus-kabang-red-e1704918474312.png)
STRATUS KABANG RED, 2018
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical 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.
![2021 Stratus Sauvignon Blanc](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2021-Stratus-Sauvignon-blanc-3000px-2-e1704918500652.png)
STRATUS SAUVIGNON BLANC, 2021
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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.
![2021 Stratus Gamay](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2021Gamay-e1704918527419.png)
STRATUS GAMAY, 2021
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical 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:
Food Pairing: Lamb curry, seared tuna with ponzu and red chiles, pork tenderloin with peach-mustard sauce, sweet potato gratin, and spanakopita.
![2022 Stratus Riesling](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2022-Stratus-Riesling-scaled-e1704918549950.jpg)
STRATUS RIESLING, 2022
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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.
![2019 Stratus Merlot](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2019-Stratus-Merlot-e1704918573154.png)
STRATUS MERLOT, 2019
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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:
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.
![2022 Stratus Cabernet Franc Rose](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2022CabFrancRose_254x900px-e1704918599154.png)
STRATUS CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ, 2022
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical 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.
![2019 Stratus Red](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2019-stratus-red-e1704918625405.png)
STRATUS RED, 2019
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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:
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.
![2022 Stratus Field Blend Ancestral](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2022-Stratus-Field-blend-Ancestral-sparkling-3000px-2-e1704918649289.png)
STRATUS "FIELD BLEND" ANCESTRAL, 2022
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical 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:
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.
![2020 Stratus Cabernet Franc](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2020-Stratus-Cabernet-Franc-3000px-7-e1704918670602.png)
STRATUS CABERNET FRANC, 2020
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical 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:
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.
![2019 Stratus Cabernet Sauvignon](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2019-Stratus-CabernetSauvignon-e1704918695886.png)
STRATUS CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2019
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical 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.
![2021 Stratus Alto Red](https://wineclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/stratus-2021-alto-red-e1704918722520.png)
STRATUS ALTO RED, 2021
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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.