James Suckling – Visits BC Wine Country & rates Moon Curser wines 93+ points
It was a super exciting time for the British Columbia wine industry to have one of the world’s leading wine critics James Suckling visit our wine region in June 2026.
“The possibilities seem wide open in the Okanagan, and many winemakers appear energized…
We’ve always felt that the possibilities are wide open in the Okanagan. It’s what Moon Curser Vineyards was based on when the Tolley’s planted some of our rarely grown varieties back in 2005. Having an international wine critic recognize that is an incredible feeling for Moon Curser and the BC Wine Industry. This kind of recognition is another milestone in a story that is the British Columbia wine industry. Words like this…
“The landscape was compelling, the wineries serious and the vintners calm, focused and welcoming.” “I found it hard to believe that I had not visited the Okanagan after more than 45 years of traveling to wine regions around the world. I had heard about the valley for years.”
We were delighted that James Suckling and his crew tasted three Moon Curser wines and rated them so highly!
Overview of Moon Curser Vineyards James Suckling ratings:
94 points
Moon Curser Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 – Highest rated Canadian Cabernet Sauvignon, not currently for sale, stay tuned – “This luscious, ripe and flavorful wine is chocolaty, velvety and easy to sip due to full but rounded tannins. Dark cherry, blueberry, mineral, cedar and espresso flavors. Big but balanced. Drink now or hold. Screw cap.”
93 points
Moon Curser Border Vines 2022 – “A robust, firm-textured red packed with graphite, dark chocolate and blackberry flavors on substantial tannins that give a good bite to the mouthfeel. Full-bodied and not overly ripe, maintaining good balance with enough acidity. Drink now. Screw cap.”
Moon Curser Syrah 2022 – “A powerful, velvety, nicely saturated red that’s substantial in texture, dark and ripe in flavors. Blackberry, black currant, dark chocolate and toasted peppercorn flavors on a full body. The tannins are full but fine-grained. Drink now or hold. Screw cap.”
“Syrah was also successful. Most of the examples we tasted showed complexity and balance without the fruit-forward, high-alcohol character found in many warmer regions farther south.”
Check out the James Suckling article “Iced Out No Longer: Okanagan Valley Warms Up to World-Class Wines” and this blog from Wines of BC that shares a closer look at tasting highlights “Leading Wine Critic James Suckling Turns the spotlight on the Okanagan Valley”.
