2023 Stratus Chardonnay Unfiltered

Considerable ripe fruit shifting into tropical, with a sort of mango sorbet, lemon custard, peach-apricot purée, honeyed, saffron inflected profile, with lots going on to be sure. The palate is medium bodied and well balanced, round and creamy, gentle and soft, with broad and wide appeal, concluding with yeasty-leesy notes and vague sensation of sweetness to further engage the audience. 

The weather in 2023 played a crucial role in shaping the vintage in the Niagara Peninsula. A mild winter followed by a warm spring led to an early bud break, raising hopes for an abundant harvest. However, the summer brought some unexpected challenges, including sporadic heatwaves and intermittent, heavy rainfall. Winemakers had to closely monitor their vineyards to mitigate potential issues such as disease and uneven ripening. The careful management of the vines, coupled with the utilization of advanced viticultural practices, ensured the grapes reached optimal maturity. Accordingly, fruit quality was excellent. The harvest at Stratus begin with Chardonnay for sparkling wine on September 9 and continued through December 8 for Cabernet Sauvignon. Grapes for Stratus Riesling and Red Icewine were picked on January 14, 2024.