Before all other wines are made at Stratus this is the wine they focus on first and foremost, so says winemaker JL Groux – (stamped it, no erasies). About this wine JL has two things to say: 1) “I am confident that this is a great wine.”; and 2) “this is the Stratus Red with the least amount of varieties in it: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and some Gamay” – he says this referring back to the other Stratus reds he has made in the past. This wine is a delicious addition to the Stratus portfolio; a wine with really good complexity, fruit, barrel notes, spice, tannins and acidity – there’s also vanilla, cinnamon and lovely red fruit on the finish. My notes finish with two words: ‘Sweet’ and ‘Supple’. JL is confident that this is a “great wine” – I’m confident in giving it 4½ stars and telling you “you’ll like it” and also to lie it down for some ageing – 7-10 years will do nicely. Release is expected Winter 2010. Price: $44.00 – Rating: ****½