Ottawa, ON

October 2021

Matt’s review: Stratus is renowned for producing some of the finest wines available in Canada, and their 2017 Cabernet Franc is one of those fantastic expressions. The grapes were picked in early November, following the warmest October in a decade, thereby fully ripening the grapes whilst retaining the refreshing varietal characteristics. Barrel fermented and aged for 534 days in 23% new French Oak, the results are outstanding in terms of fruit, texture, and balance. Dark plum, black cherry, graphite, herbs, pepper, and wood spice on the nose and palate. Full bodied, the flavours are rich and concentrated with fine integrated tannins that have found their sweet spot thanks to a few years of bottle ageing. Showing beautifully now. Drink 2021-2027. 93 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

If you like the sounds of this Cabernet Franc, check out the even more incredible ultra limited production 2017 Cabernet Franc “Decant” collaboration with internationally renowned designer Karim Rashid.

2017 Cab Franc ‘Decant’ – even richer and more complex in every way. Harvested by hand on November 17, select rows of Cabernet Franc were bunch and berry sorted and fed into 225 l barrels by gravity for fermentation. Daily rotation of each barrel to gently extract colour, tannins and structure followed with a gentle squeeze in the basket press and further gravity flow to a combination of new and older French oak barrels. Here, the wine rested with its lees for 613 days! Monthly ‘lees’ stirring and no filtration have resulted in an immensely complex, compact wine of ripe, but cool climate Cabernet Franc character.
Still extremely youthful, the wine is inky on appearance and echoes the depth of colour in terms of its concentration. Blackberry, cassis, black plum, and cedar frame a rich core that offers a plush and extraordinary mouthfeel. Best enjoyed 2020 – 2037.

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