Wines Niagara-on-the-Lake Stratus - Icewine Petit Verdot Cab Franc Cab Sauvignon - 2023

Viniou Reviews

Stratus’s 2023 Cuvée Icewine from Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario is a unique red icewine blend, composed primarily of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This blend is quite uncommon as most icewines, particularly from Canada, are whites made from Vidal or Riesling, making this bottle an adventurous choice for curious palates. The 2023 vintage benefited from a cold yet sunny autumn, allowing grapes to ripen fully before their late, frigid harvest. The concentration of sugars and flavors through natural cryoextraction offers a wine that is intensely aromatic and lusciously sweet with notes of ripe blackberries, candied cherries, plum preserves, and subtle floral hints from the Petit Verdot. The Cabernet components endow the wine with gentle herbal nuances and a backbone of acidity, ensuring it remains vibrant rather than cloying.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake region is world-renowned for its icewine production, thanks to a unique geographical situation. The moderating influence of Lake Ontario prolongs the autumn warmth, extending the ripening season so red grapes can develop flavor and color before the onset of winter cold. When temperatures drop below -8°C, the grapes are harvested and pressed while frozen, concentrating sugars and acidity. The region’s soils are predominantly clay and limestone, imparting minerality and balance, and its viticultural history dates back to the late 18th century, but it is since the 1970s that Niagara has risen to global prominence for its dessert wines.

Given its rich and velvety sweetness balanced by fresh acidity, this red icewine pairs beautifully with decadent chocolate desserts, especially those incorporating dark fruits like cherry or black currant. It also shines alongside strong blue cheeses or a board of aged Canadian cheddar, the wine’s fruit intensity offsetting the cheeses’ savory character. For a local touch, serve with Ontario duck breast alongside a berry reduction.

Serve this icewine well-chilled, ideally between 6-8°C. A small dessert wine glass will allow you to fully appreciate the aromatic depth while preserving its freshness. Open just before serving, as its perfume and texture are at their peak immediately after pouring.