2021 Stratus Alto

Sweet and tart red cherry, strawberry compote, and cracked pepper. Layered with aromas of darker, almost candied fruit, subtle anise, earth, rosehip, and violet notes brought forth by the warming alcohol that awakens the senses. The palate is quite voluptuous and concentrated but never heavy. Tannins are fine and acid and fruit are in perfect balance. The spicy alcohol reappears in the finish adding more power to this velvety but mouth-filling red. Lovely tea, wood ash, rosehip, dried cherry, and dark chocolate flavours linger.

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.