Savoury, brooding, spicy.
The Border Vines is Moon Curser's Meritage or Bordeaux blend - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Malbec & Petit Verdot.
It always has a very savoury character and this 2015 is no exception. It poses aromas of sage and sweet plums, bittersweet chocolate and red currents, tobacco, bacon fat, and mixed spices. The palate mirrors the nose; muddles chocolate, fleur de sel, spice and wild berries lead to a meaty finish.
Decant before serving and pair with grilled meat, hearty lentil stews or aged, hard cheeses.
©copyright 2018 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 10th, 2018

Fresh, serious, savoury.
Osoyoos-based Moon Curser Vineyards makes a range of wine, many rare in Canadian soils.
The expressive Contraband Syrah was aged in a mix of new and neutral Hungarian and French oak.
Aromas of Italian plums and black chocolate, espresso and savoury herbs, leather, charred licorice, toasted spice and bacon fat dominate the nose. The palate echoes those notes; it is earthy and spiced with charred meat flavours. Good acidity here and a a quiet broodiness. Serious and savoury.
Pair with grilled or roasted meats aged goat cheeses or rich winter stews.

©copyright 2023 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 3rd, 2023

Muscular, wild, peppery.
Only 444 cases made, this Syrah comes from a warm site on the South Okanagan and was matured in barriques (30% new French). Aromas here are wild purple berries, peppery spices, dried herbs and dusty black cherry with leather, tobacco and cocoa. The entry offers liberal sweet fruit and supple weight, it grows more muscular mid-palate and leans toward espresso and smoked meat with spice rub flavours. Good length and balanced acidity but oak seems to dominate the finish. .
Pair with grilled or roasted meats aged goat cheeses or rich winter stews.

©copyright 2015 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 2nd, 2015

Supple, potent, opulent.
Osoyoos-based Moon Curser Vineyards makes a range of wine, many rare in Canadian soils.
The expressive Contraband Syrah was aged in a mix of new and neutral Hungarian and French oak.
As fragrant as usual, it suggests opulent aromas of cherry cola and pipe tobacco, dried roses and black raspberry. It's a mouthfilling red, supple and chocolaty with loads of purple fruit, licorice, spice and vanilla flavours. Potent and inky it features a long coffee flavoured finish.
Pair with grilled or roasted meats aged goat cheeses or rich winter stews.

©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 19th, 2022

Supple, expressive, slick.
Osoyoos-based Moon Curser Vineyards makes a range of wine, many rare in Canadian soils.
The expressive Contraband Syrah was aged in Hungarian oak and doles out a perfume of purple flowers and concord grapes, black cherry, cola spices, licorice, black pepper and rich chocolate aromas. It has a supple entry is juicy and fruit-forward with a slick texture. It is intensely concentrated with cocoa tannins and an espresso flavoured finish. .
Pair with grilled or roasted meats aged goat cheeses or rich winter stews.

©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 27th, 2021