Soft and round with ripe berries, chocolate, leather, tobacco and a touch of meatiness; supple tannins, a bit raw with respect to finesse but quite plush and drinkable. Will improve and become more integrated with a little more time in the bottle.
The duo of Syrah (52%) and Cab Sauv (48%) delivers floral, blueberry and black pepper from the former and cassis, tobacco and structured tannin from the latter. The mostly French and American oak treatment adds layers of spiciness: clove, vanilla and coffee. Grilled steak will tame its astringency.
Bright red berries and earthy forest floor tease the nose. Tart cherry and ripe raspberry flavours enliven the medium-bodied, savoury-toned palate. The sour-cherry-and-cinnamon-stick finish lingers warmly. Matches well with a beet salad topped with goat cheese and toasted walnuts.
Deep ruby in colour with a floral, red-berry nose accented with smoky vanilla oak and cedar notes; medium-bodied, firmly structured, lean and sinewy on the palate with flavours of redcurrant.
Ruby with a tawny rim; on the nose, earthy plum and vanilla oak. Medium-bodied, creamy texture with a nicely balanced dry red-berry flavour. A good effort in a difficult vintage.
2008 was certainly not an undemanding red-wine vintage in Ontario. That being said, Stratus has pulled off a minor miracle with their signature red. Cherry, plum, licorice, bell pepper/mint, cocoa and spice swirl around a core of supple tannins. It is ready to drink now or over the next 3 years.
A Bordeaux-style blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc. Deep ruby colour with a complex nose of vanilla oak, cedar and blackcurrant with a floral note; medium-bodied, fruity and fresh with currant flavours backed by vanilla oak and finishing with soft tannins. Good value.