2015 Stratus Red 1.5L

A bright but intense color comes from extended skin contact and the nose is redolent of sweet cherry and strawberries. Floral tones of roses and violets as well as cinnamon and nutmeg make for an enticing aroma. The palate relies on the traditional elegance, complexity, and balance an assemblage of these grapes brings to a wine with a rich yet dusty ‘old school’ attack, a rich mid-palate of ripe black currants, blackberries, licorice, and aged leather. The finish goes seamlessly on for what seems like an eternity.

2015 was a solid vintage with an early and unusually dry spring that led to early budbreak. Slightly below average precipitation all summer, except June, which was higher than normal. A warm July and August continued into above-seasonal temperatures and lower-than-seasonal precipitation in the fall. With a warm — but not overly hot — year, the whites have complexity while retaining freshness. The extended ripening into November served late reds, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, well.