Okanagan trip continues with dinner and tasting at Burrowing Owl

They charge a tasting fee, $3 if I recall, but the entire fee goes to the conservation of these cute little things.

Young Burrowing Owls

I mean, seriously, how could anyone complain about paying a few bucks to help these guys out? Too adorable.

Burrowing Owl 2015 Pinot Gris ($20.00)

Pleasingly intense nose of pear, peach and red apple. Touches of grapefruit mingle on the palate with hints of apple and citrus, particularly lemon. 90.








Burrowing Owl 2014 Chardonnay ($25.00)


Beautiful orchard fruits and toasty marshmallow greet your nose. A complex palate introduces some dried pineapple, toasty oak and caramel. Finishes beautifully. 91.






Burrowing Owl 2015 Sauvignon Blanc ($25.00)

Your olfactory senses will be delighted by peach, cantaloupe, hazelnut and freshly cut grass. Citrus and passion fruit mingle effortlessly on the palate. Juicy and delicious. 92.







Burrowing Owl 2014 Pinot Noir ($30.00)


Sweet herbs, dried cherries and forest floor greet the nose. Red berries, orange zest, and vanilla combine on the palate. Very special and a great bargain at this price. 93.






Burrowing Owl 2012 Merlot ($30.00)

Aromas of black fruit and vanilla, Blackberty, blueberry, vanilla and mocha on the palate. Juicy and luscious mouthfeel. 90.








Burrowing Owl 2014 Syrah ($33.00)

Concentrated and intense nose from a very ripe vintage. Incredible aromas of red and black fruit with hints of pepper and bacon fat. Raspberry and blackberry dominate the full bodied palate. Firm tannins suggest this is still a ways away from showing all it has to offer. 89-91.






Burrowing Owl Cabernet Franc ($33.00)

Violets, black fruit and licorice on the nose. Dark and brooding flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate, orange zest with earthy undertones. 89.








After a very pleasant tasting and a little time at the register paying for our wares, off to The Sonora Room restaurant for dinner, and an outside table with a pretty awesome view.

My dinner companion offered a pretty reasonable view as well.

Our dinner was terrific, paired with a beautiful aged Pinot. Mad props to the Sonora Room for the pricing on their aged wines, which are hardly more than it would cost to buy the current vintage at the tasting room.

Burrowing Owl 2005 Pinot Noir ($55.00)

Smokey aromas of vanilla and toasty oak. Red berries, cedar, cassis, plum, leather and tobacco on the palate. Lovely long finish and the bottle aging has ensured smooth tannins. So good. 94.







Great dinner and great tasting. We will definitely be back here on our next trip.

Next up: Nk'mip!

New Okanagan Trip begins at Moon Curser!

A few weeks back we went back up to the Okanagan for a beautiful Club Members dinner hosted by Le Vieux Pin. More on that later, but for now, let's start our tour at Moon Curser.

These guys have the most interesting labels in the Okanagan, and a large portfolio which features varietals you don't find much, if at all around these parts.

Moon Curser 2015 Contraband Series Arneis ($25.90)

A common varietal in Piedmont but the only one in the Okanagan, as far as I know. Aromas and flavors include red apple, white flowers and pear. 87.








Moon Curser 2015 Contraband Series Afraid of the Dark ($21.90)

43% Viognier, 40% Roussanne, 17% Marsanne

Highly aromatic and unctious, notes of nectarine, ginger and a hint of citrus. 88.







Moon Curser 2013 Syrah ($26.90)

Notes of smoke, black pepper and cedar on the nose. The pepper comes through on the palate as well, joined with some juicy red cherry. 88.








Moon Curser 2012 Contraband Series Syrah ($31.90)

Notes of red fruit, mushrooms and earth. Lots of cherry comes through on the palate, black cherry and some sweet dried red cherry. 88,








Moon Curser 2014 Contraband Series Malbec ($31.90)

Aromas of blueberry and black plum. Cherry cola and chocolate on the palate. Malbec is a tough varietal but this one is pretty good. 87.








Moon Curser 2014 Contraband Series Tempranillo ($31.90)

Pleasing aromas of violets and cherry. Some red cherry on the palate, with a touch of cedar, leather and dark chocolate. Finishes long. Tannins are tight, this is going to improve with some time. 89-91.







Moon Curser 2013 Border Vines ($26.90)

32% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 18% Petit Verdot, 4% Carmenere

All kinds of dark berries on the nose. Vanilla, black cherry, dark chocolate and cedar on the palate. 89.







Moon Curser 2014 Carmenere ($42.90)

Intense aromas of black currant, spice and strawberry. Juicy palate with notes of blueberry, blackberry and black pepper. IMO, their finest vintage of this varietal, by a mile. 91.








Moon Curser 2013 Petit Verdot ($31.90)

Beautiful notes of violets, blueberry, earth and forest floor. The palate is juicy and delicious, with a rich mouthfeel and flavors of mushroom, blueberry and cola. The structure is firm, but that's OK, it will age beautifully. This is a stunner, and by far the best of this varietal I have ever tasted. 90-93.






Moon Curser 2014 Dead of Night ($42.90)

50/50 blend of Tannat and Syrah

Aromas of prunes, violets and tobacco. Dried cherry, plum and a touch of spice on the palate. Very dry. 91.







Moon Curser 2012 Tannat ($42.90)

Dark fruit, spice and blackberry on the nose. Dried cherry, cloves and plum on the palate. Finishes very long. 91.








Terrific wine from start to finish, and some of their lesser-known varietals have really improved since we last visited. We bought our first-ever bottles of Petit Verdot, among others.

Next up: A wonderful dinner and tasting at Burrowing Owl!