Stratus Vineyards
We were proud to feature Stratus Vineyards in August 2021.
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.
Tasting Notes
WEATHER REPORT VIOGNIER, 2019
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineTasting 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
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical 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.
STRATUS PETIT VERDOT, 2017
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Petit Verdot
Vineyard: Stratus Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.8%
Residual Sugar: 2.2 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 193
Appearance: Semi-opaque. Dark purple core.
Nose: Dark berry fruit, leather, and hints of violet and smoke.
Palate: Medium acid, medium+ tannin, medium body. Smoky, black cherry, blackberry, cassis, and green herbs with a hint of vanilla on the finish.
Quality: 89 points. Very Good+. Decant well if drinking now or hold 2-3 years.
Food Pairing: Potato gnocchi with marinara sauce, steak and stout pie, wild boar medallions with juniper sauce, cornish hen with cranberry stuffing, and baby back ribs with brown sugar glaze.
KABANG RED, 2016
Stratus Vineyards, Niagara Peninsula Buy this wineGeographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Varietal: Cabernet Franc (40%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Syrah (19%), Merlot (7%), Petit Verdot (4%)
Vineyard: Stratus Vineyards
Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 2.5 g/L
Volume: 750mL
Cases Produced: 392
Appearance: Bright. Semi-opaque. Dark ruby red core.
Nose: Violet, dark cherry, blackberry, vanilla, green herbs.
Palate: Medium acid, medium tannin, medium body. Dark cherry, black currant, green pepper, leather, and an herbal note. Hints of vanilla and black pepper. Well balanced.
Quality: 90 points. Outstanding.
Food Pairing: Falafel wrap with tahini sauce, duck and sausage gumbo, black bean and cashew chili, meatballs stuffed with olives and feta, and pork carnitas tacos.