It’s unusual to get a straight Petit Verdot from Ontario, but not unheard of – and you’d think it a more maverick type of planting and making, but over at Stratus it seems that you can teach old dogs new tricks – or at least old dogs can show you some new tricks, with rare grapes. Here longtime winemaker JL Groux has crafted a Petit Verdot that has blueberry, cherry and white pepper elements with subtle tannins and a rich dark berry finish that whacks you with pepper and finishes with supple tannins – in the end it is a true beauty of a wine worth enjoying now through 2022.  Price: $38.20 – Rating: ****