Do you like full-bodied red wines? I have 2 for you from Moon Curser Vineyards in Osoyoos. Their Malbec 2020 and Petit Verdot 2020. You don’t see much Petit Verdot in the Okanagan. Malbec is planted more widely but still tiny compared to Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. According to the 2019 BC Wine Grape Acerage Report, Malbec is in #7 place and Petit Verdot is #9 for red grapes planted. Let me tell you about these two wines which I hope will get you organizing a bbq to enjoy with them.
This wine is vegan-friendly, so you could have this with bbq’d Impossible Meat or other vegetable patties. The grill smoke and taste should carry through to work with the wine. You could also just grill vegetables and enjoy these two wines.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Moon Curser Vineyards Malbec 2020 (BC $34.99)
Appearance: A very deep ruby colour in the glass.
Nose: Medium intensity aromas of purple fruit, plums, meat, light smokiness/toast, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. A touch of violets and coffee with air. The same aromas after decanting.
Palate: Dry, medium body soft and plush with a semi-round mouthfeel. Medium acidity and fine tannins. Plums, ripe black fruit, along with touches of vanilla and cocoa. With some time in the glass, you get mint and pepperiness. Higher acidity with decanting, plus add touches of candied cherries, floral, red fruit, coffee and chocolate. Overall the fruit flavours are a little lighter with decanting, but with a wider range of flavours.
Finish: Medium-plus length with ripe plums plus a touch of pepper and oak flavours. Tannins get a bit firmer and drying on the finish. Same fruit flavours with decanting, but maybe lighter tannins.
Decanting gets a slight edge as you get a wider range of flavours, but decanted or not, you will enjoy the fruit aromas and flavours of this wine.
Rating: 
Almost opaque ruby colour. A medium-intensity nose with purple fruit, plums, and touches of meatiness, toast, cinnamon and nutmeg aromas. Dry, medium body, round and soft mouthfeel. Lower acidity and light fine tannins. Plums, ripe black fruit, and touches of vanilla, oak, and cocoa on the palate. Medium-plus length finishing with ripe plums, light pepperiness, a hint of oak and firmer tannins.
Moon Curser Vineyards Petit Verdot 2020 (BC Not Yet Released. Fall release.)
Appearance: Opaque to the rim ruby colour.
Nose: Lighter aromas of juicy red berries, then red apples, plums, red cherries, and cinnamon. Very expressive aromas. The aromas persist with decanting.
Palate: Dry, medium-plus body and flavour intensity. Round and smooth with a thicker mouthfeel. Firmer tannins with some air. Purple and black fruit flavours, along with plums, some candied red cherries, sweet spices, and red apples from the mid-palate to the finish. Juicy berries plus blueberries added with decanting. Lively flavours decanted or not. High-toned flavours.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with dry puckering tannins. Ripe dark fruit flavours, plus plums and red apples. Same flavours with decanting, but maybe a bit more tannins.
A wine that has something to say. Pay attention. Aromas and flavours persist with decanting, so open and enjoy at your leisure.
Rating: Opaque ruby colour in the glass. Light nose with aromas of juicy red berries, followed by red apples, plums, red cherries, and cinnamon. Dry, medium-plus body with a round, thicker mouthfeel. Firmer tannins. Plums, black fruit, blueberries, purple fruit and red apples are all mixed together for you to enjoy.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
Both are very fruit-forward delicious wines to enjoy with your summer bbq. You may also want to bring out some slices of cheddar cheese to taste with these wines while you are grilling your lunch or dinner.
You can purchase these wines through the winery’s website.
