News

Gismondi on Wine - Moon Curser Malbec 2020 - 91 points

"Moon Curser Malbec 2020 - 91 Points - 16 3/4 / 20

Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada. A thin-skinned grape, malbec adores heat within reason. Thus, it is well suited to the south Okanagan and its Osoyoos East Bench home. At Moon Curser, 2020 is described as an "unforgettable season" that "allowed for fantastic flavour development and balanced accumulation of sugars and acidity." Post its stainless steel ferment, the wine is aged in 225L barriques (25% new). It is a juicy mix of spice and blueberries streaked with violets, earth, and a touch of milk chocolate. Attractive, warm and spicy, this will have many fans. Barbecue ribs come swiftly to mind. The tannins are dense and long but should only be a mid-term interference. Very well done.

TASTED BY: ANTHONY GISMONDI"

View Moon Curser Malbec 91 points by Gismondi

Gismondi on Wine - 2022 Releases, 6 wines rated 90+ Points and more

To view Anthony Gismondi's full review, click on the wine.

Moon Curser Contraband Syrah 2020 - 91 Points

Moon Curser Touriga Nacional 2020 - 91 Points

Moon Curser Malbec 2020 - 91 Points

Moon Curser Dead of Night 2020 - 90 Points

Moon Curser Syrah 2020 - 90 Points

Moon Curser Petit Verdot 2020 - 90 Points

Moon Curser Roussanne Marsanne 2021 - 89 Points

Moon Curser Arneis 2021 - 89 Points

Moon Curser Viognier 2021 - 89 Points

Moon Curser Tempranillo 2020 - 88 Points

Moon Curser Heist Rose 2021 - 88 Points

Tasting Room Radio - July 2, 2022 - "Checking in with The Neighbourhood!!"

Interview with Beata & Chris Tolley – Owners of Moon Curser, starts at ~37:17 to 53:30.

You'll hear updates on the 2022 growing season from Chris. Starting at 41:28 they chat about a small selection of Moon Curser's LARGE portfolio. Terry speaks about his favourite wine from Moon Curser's portfolio this year and he said it was Roussanne Marsanne. "I just love it. I just love it. I love it, I love it, I love it and if you keep making it on that level, it will just get better and better and better and better and it will become one of your true signature wines." Starting at 46:36 hear about Moon Curser's Syrah and Contraband Syrah and Chris and Beata speak about vintage variation.

Listen to "Checking in with The Neighbourhood!!"

Canada's 100 Best - "Digging deep in the Okanagan"

"BC's Best Wineries

There is a lot to be said about B.C.’s maturing winemaking prowess and its incredible diversity across nine geographical indications (GIs). A focus on the Okanagan Valley and its growing number of sub-GIs — most notably in the Naramata Bench region — reveals convention-bunking winemakers centered on microclimates, soils, clones, oak, yeasts, and non-interventionist viticulture — all in hot pursuit of ultimate terroir expression. —

Moon Curser Vineyards

Dolcetto, Arneis, Syrah, Malbec, Tannat, Touriga Nacional… It’s all here on the East Bench of Osoyoos in the South Okanagan. “We were crazy people when we started. We didn’t know much,” says Chris Tolley. But they are getting- ting a lot right, particularly with Syrah, bottled as single-vineyard and blended wines. That Arneis is a treat, too — tasted off the vine and from a 2014 bottle, it’s remarkably textured, with citrus, savoury, and spice."

Discover BC's Best Wineries here

winebc.com - "Behind the Label"

"This winery opened in 2006 as Twisted Tree Vineyards. Four years later, proprietors Chris and Beata Tolley changed the name to the more dramatic Moon Curser. The drama carried through to labels evoking an earlier history when Osoyoos was centre for gold mining.

During the gold rush, American miners sought to smuggle gold back across the border in the dark of night without paying taxes or duties. The smugglers would curse the moon if it exposed their activities. On its back labels, Moon Curser puts these words in the mouth of a smuggler: “Damn you moon for lighting my run tonight. This gold is mine and no border agent is going to tax me.”

The labels, which mimic shadow and light, anchor Moon Curser and its wines in the history and the terroir of Osoyoos.  The pick, the mule, the saddle bags and the gold nuggets are references to the mining and smuggling on the last. Other elements on the labels are drawn from nature in the South Okanagan, such as ponderosa pines, deer, foxes and even small bats.

The labels are a fun and engaging way to reference the terroir which the winery exploits to grow varietals rarely grown elsewhere in the Okanagan, if at all. “We believe they thrive in our Osoyoos vineyards is because they are growing in the southernmost, hottest and sunniest place in all of the Okanagan,” Chris writes.

The varietals include Arneis, Carménère, Dolcetto, Tannat, Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional. “I love the diversity,” Chris says. “I love the affirmation that this valley is capable of doing a wide variety of wines.”"

Discover the inspiration and stories behind award-winning BC wine labels.

Decanter - British Columbia Syrah: Canada’s rising star

This week Decanter published an article by Michaela Morris called “British Columbia Syrah: Canada’s rising star” and included her top 15 BC Syrah wines to try, including Moon Curser Syrah 2019 at 90 points!

It’s great to see Michaela say “Despite only representing 9% of red grapes, British Columbia Syrah is fast becoming one of Canada's most exciting red wine styles.” and see BC Syrah getting this kind of attention.

Read "British Columbia Syrah: Canada’s rising star".

Tasting Room Radio - Sept 18, 2021 - The 5th and final week of Okanagan Reconnect

Interview with Beata & Chris Tolley – Owners of Moon Curser starts off this episode.

Listen or watch the 5th and final week of Okanagan Reconnect

The Globe & Mail - A new release from Burgundy winery showcases the vibrancy of pinot noir - Roussanne Marsanne 2020 - 89 points

To read full article and review with subscription click here

TheWineDiva.ca/WineScores.ca - 2021 Releases, 13 wines rated 90+ Points

Moon Curser Syrah 2019 - 92 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Dead of Night 2019 - 92 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Touriga Nacional 2019 - 92 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Tempranillo 2019 - 92 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Viognier 2020 - 92 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Border Vines 2019 - 91 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Petit Verdot 2019 - 91 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Dolcetto 2020 - 91 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 - 91 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Carménère 2019 - 91 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Contraband Syrah 2019 - 91 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Malbec 2019 - 90 Points

To view review click here

Moon Curser Arneis 2020 - 90 Points

To view review click here

John Schreiner on wine - "Moon Curser makes an impact", 14 wines rated 90+ points

"...The range of varietals produced by Moon Curser is extensive and includes several varietals that are either exclusive to the winery or grown by few other producers. A Moon Curser wine list includes Arneis, Dolcetto, Tannat, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Carménère, and Nebbiolo. “I love the diversity,” Chris says. “I love the affirmation that this valley is capable of doing a wide variety of wines. Maybe we do one of these varieties better than anywhere else in the world.” Indeed, I would put up a Moon Curser Tannat against wines from Uruguay where that variety thrives. The flagship red at Moon Curser, Dead of Night, is an inspired blend of equal parts Tannat and Syrah...."

Overview of John's ratings:

94 points

Moon Curser Dead of Night 2019

93 points

Moon Curser Carmenere 2019
Moon Curser Touriga Nacional 2019
Moon Curser Contraband Syrah 2019

92 points

Moon Curser Roussanne Marsanne 2020
Moon Curser Dolcetto 2020
Moon Curser Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Moon Curser Petit Verdot 2019

91 points

Moon Curser Arneis 2020
Moon Curser Border Vines 2019
Moon Curser Syrah 2019 
Moon Curser Tempranillo 2019
Moon Curser Malbec 2019

90 points 

Moon Curser Viognier 2020

View full wine reviews and article by John Schreiner - "Moon Curser makes an impact".