One of my goals for the Fall is to visit a winery and see part of their harvest operation, talk to the winemaker, and taste some of their wines. I accomplished all three of these goals through a visit to Moon Curser Vineyards in Osoyoos, BC. Today I will tell you about my wine tasting with Stephanie at the winery tasting room. I will cover in a separate article my meeting with their winemaker, Christian Scagnetti, as he took me through their winemaking process; they were harvesting their Arneis grapes that day, and then wandering through the vineyard to taste grapes and find out differences between them. For now, enjoy these wine tasting notes.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Moon Curser Vineyards Border Vines 2019 ($28.99++) – 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Carmenere, and 3% Cabernet Franc. A nice ripe cassis nose. Dry, medium body with firmer tannins. Cassis, black cherries, plus oak and sweet spices. Medium acidity. Medium plus length. 
Moon Curser Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 ($42.99++) – this wine spent 18 months in French oak barrels. It has a light cassis, sweet spices, and a scent reminding me of aftershave of long ago. This wine is dry, and lean, with a medium-minus body. Medium intensity drying tannins. Medium acidity. More black cherries with less cassis. A light mouthfeel. Medium length.
Moon Curser Vineyards Malbec 2019 ($33.99++) – A medium minus intensity cassis nose. Medium-plus body, soft and round with medium intensity tannins and acidity. Cassis, cherry, raspberry and floral flavours. Semi-round mouthfeel.
Moon Curser Vineyards Dolcetto 2020 (SOLD OUT) – all stainless steel ferment with no oak ageing. This wine is sold out. A light ripe fruit nose. Medium minus body, soft and round , then the tannins kick in. Sweet black fruit on the palate, then a mix of red and black tart fruits on the finish. Firm tannins to finish.
Moon Curser Vineyards Touriga Nacional 2017 (SOLD OUT) – A firm dark fruit nose. Medium body, round and silky soft mouthfeel. Cassis, along with touches of raspberry, oak, and vanilla. A bit peppery on the finish.A thicker mouthfeel. I picked up some chalkiness to this wine. Cherries and grippy tannins on the finish.
Moon Curser Vineyards Dead of Night 2016 (SOLD OUT) – 50% Tannat and 50% Syrah. Cassis with a touch of cocoa on the nose. Medium-minus body, lean, with firm tannins. Cassis, floral, and ripe black fruit flavours. A light mouthfeel. Firm tannins, some pepperiness and sweet fruits on the finish.
Twisted Tree Tannat 2007 (not available) – Before Moon Curser Vineyards began the winery ran under the name Twisted Tree (till 2008). The owners planted the grapes when they were Twisted Tree and kept the Tannat grapes when they changed winery name. Moon Curser is still the majority grower of Tannat in all of BC. There is only one other winery that grows Tannat. But consider this wine that is 14 years old. It is showing its age being a medium brick red. This wine still has roundness. Meat, leather and dried fruits on the nose. Aged red fruits and leather flavours. Medium acidity is still strong and gives this wine life. Softer tannins. Red fruits and red cherries lingering on the finish.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
You can purchase some of these wines at the winery website as many wines are already sold out at the winery. They are offering for a limited time, free shipping on orders of 12 bottles. Some of these wines are available at the Swirl Wine Store and at Everything Wine.
