(Spring Okanagan Wine Festival, by the way.)
We booked an early morning flight since it was cheaper; we arrived just before 7am. Since not much is going on winery-wise at this time of day, we decided to head south to Osoyoos. Most wineries are open from 10am to 5 or 6 in the afternoon. We would arrive in time to have breakfast and plan our attack. First up: Moon Curser.
Moon Curser was formerly known as Twisted Tree. I just assumed that someone sold to someone else, but I just learned from John Schreiner's blog that actually it's the same owners. They found the old name was being confused with two other Okanagan vineyards, Tangled Vines and Oliver Twist. The new name is inspired by the cross-border gold smuggling that went on under cover of darkness years ago. This is fine except the labels all have a Halloween, howling coyote theme that sort of confuses their brand.
The tasting room (which just opened May 1st) is stunning. One of many new and expensive-looking wine shops we visited, this one has a huge window looking west over Osoyoos and the lake. Generally the wines here were very good, the Petit Verdot being the only one I found less than average (and this is a varietal that is mostly used in blends).All notes in regular text are from the winemaker; if I have anything to add it will be in italics. Scores are mine alone.
- Afraid of the Dark 2011 ($22)
Afraid of the Dark is a blend of Marsanne (42%),
Roussanne (33%) and Chardonnay (25%). Grown on our Class 1 home vineyard on
Osoyoos East Bench, the Marsanne and Roussanne are made from vines in their 7th
leaf. The rare Muscat clone of Chardonnay is grown on a tiny one acre block on
the west side of Osoyoos Lake.
This is a dry, light to medium bodied white wine. The nose is highly aromatic
with notes of nectarine, candied ginger, grapefruit and stone fruit (mainly
peach and apricot). On the palate the wine is quite crisp, with stone fruit and
clean bright citrus notes as the dominant notes. Some melon and mineral
characteristics can also be found. The wine has a crisp finish with good
finesse and length.
89 points.
The Viognier for this varietal bottling was
grown in our Class 1 home vineyard on Osoyoos East Bench, as well as a newer,
small vineyard also located on the East Bench. The wine underwent cold
fermentation entirely in stainless steel in order to preserve the complexity
and freshness of its fruit character. Whole bunch pressing, and slight extended
skin contact on portions of the fruit contributed to the mouthfeel and flavor
profile of the wine.
This is a dry, medium bodied white wine. The nose is very delicate but with
pronounced peach and stone fruit notes. Floral, lemon and candied aromas round
out the nose and the overall impression is that of delicate but intense
character. On the palate, the acidity is in balance with the delicate character
of the wine and, similar to the nose, peach and honey as well as a candied
ginger impression are present. The wine has a round finish with finesse and
length.
89 points: very flavourful.
This wine is grown in its entirety in our Class
1 Osoyoos home vineyard planted in the spring of 2005. It was aged in 225 L
American barrels, about 20% of which were new.
This is a dry, medium-bodied red wine. On the nose the characters of red
cherry, violets, tobacco and vanilla can be found. The palate, similar to the
nose, adds elements of black pepper, black cherry jam, leather and a bit of
cedar. Rich and round, with abundant soft tannin, the wine finishes long.
88 points.
The bulk (over 90%) of this wine is grown in the
Kelliher vineyard on Osoyoos East Bench, two properties north of our home
vineyard. The wine was matured in 225 L barriques, about a third of which were
new American oak.
This is a dry, medium-bodied red wine. On the nose, plum and ripe black fruit
are the dominant notes, followed by coffee and dried spice characteristics. On
the palate, the wine is generous, mouth filling, with both black and red
cherry, vanilla and nutmeg. The finish is long, with considerable yet round and
soft tannin.
88 points - robust and woody.
Our Syrah is grown in two neighboring Osoyoos
East BenchVineyards, both Class 1 viticultural properties. The wine was matured
in 225 L barriques, about a third of which were new oak of French and Hungarian
origin.
This is a dry, medium-bodied red wine. On the nose, there is the hallmark black
pepper of Okanagan Syrah accompanied by strong black cherry, sweet beet, and
clove and allspice aromas. The palate is generous with rich mulberry and dried
cherry flavors, along with earthy chocolate and leather notes. Tannins are
smooth, and the finish is long.
89 points.
This blend of six Bordeaux varietals consists of
Cabernet Sauvignon (35%), Merlot (33%), Cabernet Franc (15%), Carmenere (7%),
Malbec (7%) and Petit Verdot (3%). The wine is grown in five Osoyoos East Bench
vineyards, all within a short tractor-driving distance from one another.
This is a dry, medium bodied wine. The nose shows good intensity with strong
elements of dark berry and typical cabernet notes of cassis and blackberry. On
the palate this mouthfilling wine has good weight and intensity, with
highlights of plum and spice notes, and long smooth finish.
89 points.
The Malbec for this inaugural single varietal
bottling was grown in a Class 1 vineyard located on Osoyoos East Bench, from
vines now in their 7th leaf. The low cropping during the 2010 growing season
resulted in high fruit quality at harvest, and the decision to bottle the wine
on its own.
This is a dry, medium to full bodied red wine. Characters of blueberries, black
cherry and plum dominate the nose. The palate follows the nose, and is full and
round, and displays notes of chocolate licorice and cola. The plushness of this
wine is its dominant character. Acidity and tannic structure marry well but
play a background role. The finish is long and balanced, with ripe soft tannin.
With its strong blueberry character this wine drinks well right out of the
gate, but it could be cellared for two to four years. We recommend limited
aging. With bottle age expect leather and tobacco characters to develop.
89 points. I got earthy, mushroom notes in here as well.
The Petit Verdot for this inaugural single
varietal bottling was grown in a Class 1 vineyard located on Osoyoos East
Bench, from vines now in their 7th leaf. The low cropping during the 2010
growing season resulted in high fruit quality at harvest, and the decision to
bottle the wine on its own.
This is a dry, medium-bodied red wine. Notes of violets, both red and black
currants, black cherries and raspberries dominate the nose. The palate follows
the nose, and also displays some notes of licorice and cola. The acidity and
the tannic structure, marry well with the predominant notes of violet and
result in a wine that is powerful and elegant. The finish is long and balanced,
with ripe tannin. On first release the wine drinks well, but might have a
little tightness. As little as 6 months aging will be probably well rewarded.
This wine will also age well over five to seven years. Expect secondary
characteristics of bottle age like licorice, graphite, sweet beetroot and
leather to develop.
87 points - fresh cherry, probably needs aging.
This blend of Tannat, a noble red varietal traditionally
grown in the Madiran region in the south of France, and Syrah, is grown in two
Class 1 vineyards on Osoyoos East Bench, and aged in 225 L French, as well as
Hungarian, oak barriques.
This is a dry, medium bodied wine. The nose displays aromas of dark cherry,
prune plum and violets. Notes of pepper and tobacco can be found as well.On the
palate the wine is rich but with good acidity. The palate is consistent with
the nose with its cherry and plum notes, but also displays meaty and smoky
characters. The finish is long and generous with impressive fine and soft
tannin.
89 points. Very noticeable tannins, needs a year or at least a good aeration. Tannat - another new grape for the Wine Century Club!
