Stratus Chardonnay Unfiltered, 2021

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: Defined by highly variable weather, 2021 was unpredictable from start to finish. The year started with warmer than average, January temperatures. Spring settled into predictably seasonal temperatures and generally dry conditions – a great start to the growing season. As the summer progressed, hot and dry conditions prevailed. Despite unexpected scattered rain and severe thunderstorms at the end of the month, extreme heat and drought were the predominant challenges faced in August. Unstable weather in the fall presented challenging harvest conditions. Rain and humidity at inopportune times required a strategic approach to picking grapes at their peak. Many of the red varieties were harvested at the tail end of November and in early December.

VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake