Background
Moon Curser Vineyards is a boutique, family-owned winery on the East Bench of Osoyoos, BC, a South Okanagan border town known for its hot summers, lakeside fun and vineyards. Moon Curser has been in operation since 2004 when Chris and Beata Tolley purchased an old orchard in need of replanting and set about converting it into what is now the Moon Curser Home Vineyard block, winery and tasting room.
The Moon Curser name pays tribute to the gold smuggling history of Osoyoos. The Moon Curser wines, however, break from tradition – the winery’s focus has always been on making premium wines from old-world grape varieties not previously planted in the Okanagan such as Tannat, Dolcetto and Touriga Nacional. These varieties have not historically been a part of the South Okanagan viticulture, but thrive in the distinctive terroir of the Osoyoos East Bench and continue to deliver unique, world-class interpretations of these wines.
Moon Curser was recognized as #1 Best Performing Small Winery in Canada at the 2019 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada and also ranked second overall in the Top 25 Wineries in Canada.
For more information on the extensive portfolio of wines see the earlier guest post – Moon Curser Vineyards: Smugglers of Quirky Varietals in Osoyoos
2019 Harvest
In 2019 spring arrived a little later than usual in Osoyoos. It was quite mild with temperatures just shy of 20°C. Summer brought high heat, with only small amounts of rain at appropriate times. This allowed the vines to catch up from the late spring. Cooler temperatures towards the end of summer allowed for the development of both bright, lively acidity and balanced, complex flavour profiles. Heavy rainfall in early September and a cold snap in early October provided some difficulties during harvest but did not affect the quality or integrity of Moon Curser grapes. This season allowed for incredible flavour development and balanced accumulation of sugars and acids, all amplified by the low fruit yields experienced in the Okanagan that year.
Moon Curser Syrah 2019
Winemaking
- Grapes hand-picked and sorted in the vineyard, then sorted again prior to destemming and pumping through to fermenters. No crushing.
- Warm red fermentation kept at approx. 25°C in variable capacity 5,000 L stainless steel fermenters.
- Gentle pumpovers three times daily.
- Cooperage: 225 L barriques; François Frère. 33% new Hungarian oak, remainder – neutral barrels.
- Malolactic fermentation: YES, in tank and barrel.
- Filtered: YES
- Fined: NO
- Vegan: YES
- Bottled: March 2021
Alcohol % 15.1 / pH3.65 / TA 6.9g/l / RS 3.8 g/l
Tasting Notes
This is a bold, smooth and richly textured Syrah. Aromas of black fruit with floral notes. Flavours of ripe blackberry and blueberry, some smoke and earthiness and light pepper. It is full-bodied yet lively on the palate with moderate tannin and good length and a hint of cloves and smokiness on the finish. 92 Points.
Gold medal winner at 2021 All Canadian Wine Championships.
For the complete portfolio of Moon Curser Wines visit the winery website.