CHÂTEAU, VILLA & ESTATE WINES |
STRATUS VINEYARDS
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
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Greetings!
For twenty-five years Rogers and Company has been recognized as a leading distributor of fine wines from around the world. Three years ago we proudly welcomed Niagara's jewel in the crown, Stratus Vineyards, to our portfolio. Although the winery is the picture of innovation, the wine-making philosophy is firmly rooted in the Old World - finessed, balanced, ageworthy wines, emphasizing the art of "assemblage." Since Stratus' wines aren't confined to a predetermined recipe, winemaker J-L Groux has the liberty each vintage to make the best wines possible. The 55 acre vineyard that surrounds the winery is planted to 18 varieties in 44 "blocks" of vines, each of which is hand-pruned, hand-thinned and hand-harvested by a team of ten vineyard workers.
Stratus' portfolio of wines changes each year, as the vintage conditions determine whether J-L Groux will make monovarietal wines. If the harvest is bountiful and the fruit quality exceptionally high, individual wines will be produced to showcase the fruit that constitutes the Stratus blends. Stratus' Icewines are also quite special in that they are fermented drier than most in Niagara, which allows the flavours of the fruit to take centre stage without the cloying affect of high residual sugar. These make beautiful accompaniments to a summer fruit tart or a plate of light cookies. I invite you to visit Stratus - the world's first LEED certified winery. Renowned Canadian interior designer, Diego Burdi of Burdifilek has created a lovely tasting room and retail store that is a pure reflection of the winery philosophy. Full of natural light and layered with texture, the tasting room adjoins a contemporary terrace with panoramic views of the vineyard. I would be happy to make an introduction on your behalf if you would like to visit the winery.
Rogers & Company offers the same prices that Stratus does at their cellar door. Our price lists and all the information about all our wines are available online. Please visit Stratus Vineyards online here. All the best, Chris. |
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Stratus White 2007 [750ml/6 or 12 per case] $44.00
"This is one of the most interesting whites made in Canada, year after year. Blended from several grape varieties (usually Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer among others) this is wonderfully exotic and challenging (in a good way, as in forcing you to search for comparisons). The nose is terrific with a hint of pine, running through the lemon-orange marmalade, honey and anise scents. Wood ageing is very deftly handled - almost unnoticed in itself but certainly binding and refining the flavours and texture. It's full-bodied, creamy and very refined - almost satiny. Yet there is terrific power. Quite hot on the finish thanks to the ripe 2007 vintage. Excellent to outstanding length."
93 points, David Lawrason, WineAlign
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Stratus Red 2007 [750ml/6 or 12 per case] $44.00
"This is quite simply one of the best Bordeaux-style wines I've tasted in Ontario. Redolent with cedar, currant, spice and lavendar notes. The blend is seamless. There is an elegance here that distinguishes it from the jammi-ness of other 2007 VQA reds. Beautifully structured, it will cellar for 3-4 years. Food match: duck breats; rack of lamb."
5/5 stars or 93 points, Tony Aspler, tonyaspler.com
"The 2007 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and a touch of Gamay. The point of the assemblage, the essence of Stratus' philosophy, is vindicated here, as this is markedly more complex aromatically than any of the individual components bottled separately. The nose is surprisingly opened and perfumed, with a fine spectrum of red and black fruit, wood spice, floral tones, cinnamon and so on. The palate is highly refined and elegant, not a blockbuster, but made in the mold of finesse. There is ample structure to ensure a decade and a half of ageing without difficulty. The finish is long"
92 points, John Szabo MS, WineAlign
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Stratus Riesling Icewine 2008 [200ml/12case] $39.85
 "Deep gold colour; honey, grapefruit with a mineral note; spicy peach and honey flavour with lively acidity. Sweetness kept in check by the fruity acidity." 93 points, Tony Aspler, tonyaspler.com |
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Stratus Red Icewine 2008 [200ml/12case] $39.85
 "A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Very pretty, candied strawberry and raspberry, high-toned violets on the nose. This is an excellent example, one of the best red icewines I've come across... Long finish, well balanced. Superb." 95 points, John Szabo MS, 2009 Ontario Wine Report |
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Sauvignon Blanc 2008 [750ml/6 or 12 case] $29.20
 "Made in the style of a white Graves from Bordeaux this is a smooth, rich, partially barrel fermented sauvignon with a fairly deep yellow-golden colour. The nose shows well integrated sponge toffee, tobacco, gooseberry, fig and herbs. It's medium-full bodied, quite plush and polished in feel with a spicy, almost peppery finish. There is some heat from the 13.5% alcohol, unexpected from the cool 2008 vintage. It is actually a surprising wine overall, until you consider the style and work that also goes into the flagship wine, Stratus." 90 points, David Lawrason, WineAlign |
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Sémillon 2008 [750ml/6 or 12 case] $31.80
 "The 2008 Sémillon is made from fruit coming from a 7 acre estate vineyard parcel and is the winery's first dry and 100% varietal Sémillon. The bouquet comes with stone fruits, white blossoms and bee's wax aromas. Opulent with a slightly oily texture and with plenty of white-fleshed summer fruit flavours, savoury oak and a neat chamomile tea-mineral kick over its long finish. Try with chopped up lobster - Chinese style with ginger and onion." 4.5/5 stars, Zoltan Szabo, Good Food Revolution |
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Cabernet Franc 2007 [750ml/6 or 12 case] $38.00
 "A remarkable red from a remarkable vintage. Its bouquet shows aromas of plums, lavendar and elegant oak-vanilla. Full-bodied with cohesive tannins on the palate. The finish suggests coffee and orange toffee nuances. Already approachable and harmonious, this chic red will reach its full potential by 2012." 5/5 stars, Vines, March 2010 |
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Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 [750ml/6 or 12 case] $75.20
"A shame we have to wait for this benchmark Cab, it's a blockbuster. Concentrated aromas of blackberry tinged with red fruits and an array of spice and oak accents. It's absolutely a dream on the palate with gushing black fruits built on a sturdy, structured frame and a bed of tannins that will integrate given time." Rick VanSickle, Osprey Media |
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Malbec 2008 [750ml/6 or 12 case] $38.20
 "The 2008 Malbec spent 22 months in 100% French oak, a blend of mostly new and 1,2 and 3 year old barrels. Black raspberry, spicy - herbal aroma nuances give way to underlying vinous, fresh-pressed grape juice and beet-licorice root tones. Medium to full weight and with similar flavour characteristics as the aromas, softly textured and with fresh acidity, well integrated with polished oak notes and gentle tannins just adding to its overall structure and complexity. Great length with purple fruits and blood orange tint. A wonderful red to accompany your spring lamb dinner." 4.5/5 stars, Zoltan Szabo, Good Food Revolution |
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Merlot 2008 [750ml/6 or 12 case] $32.20
 "The 2008 Merlot is bright, more red fruit aromas and flavours, spicy, savoury oak and toast. Medium bodied, round and soft with red plum and cherry flavours. Rustic barnyard note just adds extra to its personality. To go with Muscovy duck or bacon wrapped wild turkey." Zoltan Szabo, zoltanszabo.org |
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Petit Verdot 2007 [750ml/6 or 12 case] $37.80
 "The 2007 Petit Verdot is even better than the delicious 2006. It possesses a dark cherry colour and a huge bouquet of coffee, coconut, milk chocolate, raspberries, cassis and game. Full bodied, the palate is ripe with lots of red and black fruits. There is excellent length and firm, ripe tannins. Cellar until 2013 and consume until 2018. If you opt to drink tonight, think confit de canard or leg of lamb stuffed with feta cheese, toasted pine nuts and braised leeks." 90 points, Evan Saviolidis, winesavvy.com |
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Chris McLean
416 961 2294 x 29
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