Stratus Vineyards only ships products within Canada.
Stratus Merlot, 2020
Shipped and sold by Stratus Vineyards
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Tasting Note:
Expressive nose with black niçoise olive, hoisin, plum paste, cassis, black cherry, lilac, tarragon, and prune. Rich and smooth, mouth-filling, but never heavy or boozy on the palate due to a core of sour red fruit acid. Tannins are velvety and layered creating a robust structure without any hardness or youthful green notes. A hint of wood spice and oak char add depth.
The 2019 vintage was a featured wine in February 2024's Wine Club package.
Tasting notes written by Tony Aspler.
Geographical Indication: VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Vineyard: Estate vineyard
Residual Sugar: 0.2 g/L
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.
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.
