Today we are going on a journey tasting Rhone grape varieties; Syrah for red grapes, and Roussanne and Marsanne for white grape varieties. You may have heard of Syrah. BC Syrah is quite well-known for its quality, but Roussanne and Marsanne may be new to you. These two white grapes are grown in the northern Rhone region and are typically blended together.
We are fortunate to have all 3 of these grape varieties being grown by Moon Curser Vineyards in Osoyoos. A hot region which these grapes love. These wines are both vegan-friendly.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Moon Curser Vineyards Roussanne Marsanne 2021 (BC $27.99++)
A blend of 82% Roussanne and 18% Marsanne coming from their Home Vineyard. Hand-picked and sorted then undergoing a cool ferment in stainless steel to start then a warmer fermentation to completion. 20% of the grapes were fermented in French barrels. Lees stirring once a day till desired results were achieved. The winery notes that this wine will age well and if you wait 3-4 years before opening the bottle you will get marzipan, honey and caramel flavours from the Marsanne grape.
Appearance: A bright medium intensity gold colour in the glass.
Nose: Medium-plus intensity aromas of ripe/roasted apples, roasted pears, touches of pineapple, ripe lemon, sweet spices, and smokiness behind. Same aromas with decanting.
Palate: Dry, lean with a medium body and medium-plus flavour intensity. The wine does get rounder and fuller bodied with swirling in the glass. Higher acidic prickle. Medium-plus intensity aromas of pears, apples, and pineapple, plus a touch of smokiness. Mainly pears and pineapple flavours with decanting, followed by pepperiness. Rounder mouthfeel, plus some grape stem. No smokiness.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with pineapple and pear flavours, some pepperiness and honey and a touch of smokiness at the very end. No change to the fruit flavours on the finish with decanting, and there is now no smokiness.
In 2021 there were forest fires in the South Okanagan bordering Osoyoos. The touch of smokiness I tasted in the Roussanne Marsanne may come from the fires, or from the 20% of the grapes fermented in barrel. If you decant the wine, as I mentioned above, the touch of smokiness disappears.
Rating: 
A bright, medium golden colour in the glass. Medium-plus flavours of very ripe apples, roasted pears, and touches of pineapple, ripe lemon, and sweet spice. Rounder with decanting. Medium-plus intensity aromas of pears, apples, and pineapple with decanting.
Moon Curser Vineyards Syrah 2020 (BC $29.99++)
A blend of 98% Syrah and 2% Tannat comes from 6 different vineyards in Osoyoos. The grapes are hand-picked and sorted before destemming and pumping through to fermenters. No crushing. A warm fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Aged then in French and Hungarian oak barrels. This wine underwent malolactic fermentation while in tank. A wine that the winery says will continue to develop until 2029.
Appearance: Opaque ruby!
Nose: Medium-minus intensity aromas of purple fruit, plums, blueberries and blackberries, and butter. Less fruit aroma with decanting and lighter butter scent.
Palate: Dry, medium-plus body, round and soft with medium intensity tannins and soft acidity. Not mouth-filling. A mix of plums, blueberries and black fruit, followed by black cherries, then bitter dark chocolate and oak. There is a lot of buttery flavour that comes out with swirling in the glass. More blueberry flavour with decanting and fuller bodied. Nice and smooth. Butter on the mid-palate and black pepper toward the finish.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with medium firm tannins, and a touch of black pepperiness. Purple fruit, chocolate, and oak flavours. Same fruit flavours and tannins on the finish with decanting, plus butter and vanilla.
You get subdued aromas with decanting, but more blueberry flavour. Your choice to decant or not.
Rating: – 
Opaque ruby colour. Lighter aromas of purple fruit, plums, blue and blackberries, plus a buttery scent. Dry, very smooth and round. Medium-plus body. Purple fruit, blueberries, plums and black cherries, along with dark chocolate, vanilla and oak flavours. Medium-plus length finishing with medium intensity tannins, purple and black fruit, chocolate and a touch of black pepper.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
You can purchase these wines at the winery website. The Syrah is available at Everything Wine.
