Stratus Chardonnay Unfiltered, 2020

With a distinct golden haze, given by the inclusion of lees, look for bright and enticing aromas of fresh-cut pineapple and Bartlett pear mingled with the blooming Hoya flower. The zestful flavours of fresh lime and green almond are well-balanced with rich coconut cream for a beautiful finish on the palate. Full-flavoured and delicious now. More complexity and gravitas in coming years.

Growing Conditions: 2020 was a remarkable year for weather and wine in Ontario. Warmer than average winter months led to a cool dry April and May. The approach of summer brought a return of the hot weather with low precipitation and humidity. Similar conditions continued through August with only short, isolated, but intense thunderstorms. While temperatures began to naturally cool, sunshine remained throughout the autumn. The dry, sunny conditions were ideal for the full and complete maturation of grapes and contributed to a smooth harvest. Across the region, unseasonably warm weather delayed the icewine harvest, resulting in a loss of tonnage. These temperature conditions postponed picking into the last week of January. While the overall grape crop was low, quality across all varieties was exceptional.

VQA Niagara Lakeshore