Tasting Note – This is the first pinot noir ever made by Stratus, a house built on the reputation of Bordeaux varieties growing in Niagara-on-the-Lake. So, they left the neighbourhood and went up onto Vinemount Ridge and Heather Laundry’s organic vineyard to source the fruit. Which presents a certain exquisite aromatic purity, with ripe sweet cherry, almost candied or raspberry ripe. Also, delicate florals, with background seedy/herbal forest floor notes. But no oak here, as this was aged entirely in clay amphora. Bringing a satiny, creaminess sense to the texture, yet notable richness as well. The 13.7% alcohol is well contained, the tannins are chalk dust fine.  The length is excellent to outstanding.

Backgrounder –  This very fine pinot was released in June 2026 among three other ‘amphora’ aged Stratus wines, during a well-themed reception at the Gardiner Museum of Ceramics in Toronto. The other amphora wines included chardonnay, cabernet franc and a rare first-leaf sangiovese. It was a fitting setting for the statement by Stratus winemakers J.L. Groux and Dean Stoyka that ageing wines in clay/concrete has moved beyond the experimental stage at Stratus. They are always looking at new shapes, sizes and sources (Italy, France, China & Canada) but are convinced that amphora ageing delivers very favourable textural results, and highlights fruit purity. Which is important when the grapes are grown for this kind of quality and definition. This has very much been the goal of Heather Laundry, a third-generation grower with organic vineyards in Lincoln Lakeshore, and on Vinemount Ridge, source of the pinot for this bottling.  The Laundry name has graced bottlings across Niagara for years. This was in amphora for 296 days.