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We have been looking forward to tasting the new Unsworth releases since hearing that the winery was purchased last summer by Julia Jackson and Barbara Banke <1>.

Unsworth is one of our favourite Vancouver Island wineries since writing about the vineyard and their sparkling wines in 2018 – Unsworth Vineyards and Charme De L’Ile.

As most of the wines are from the 2019 vintage here is a recap of the 2019 harvest before we go to the tasting notes.

Harvest 2019

Overall we would describe the vintage on the island as a classic. The weather data has recently been compiled and it does show perhaps the new average. It seems that we don’t bottom out below 1000 Growing degree days (GDD) anymore and we take the optimistic view that perhaps these less warm vintages result in quite interesting wines in the glass.

There was higher rainfall than in the past few years with very few days above 30 degrees Celsius. Not having to irrigate or worry about smoke was nice.

Starting on September 12 the harvest rains came which signalled the more challenging part of the year. The rain was very intense and was a bit of a worry considering that it was a higher disease pressure year. Luckily things did dry out a tad during the beginning of October so the majority of the fruit came in between Sept 28 and Oct 14.

Our sparkling base wine is plentiful and one of the more exciting aspects of the 2019 vintage. At this point, the red Pinot Noir looks like it won’t have the ripeness or structure of the 2018 but will showcase itself as a light, delicate style Pinot with more phenolic ripeness than we have experienced in previous cool vintages. 

Chris Turyk & Dan Wright

The New Wines

Unsworth Allegro 2019 ($21.65)

A quintessential medium-bodied white made from exciting Vancouver Island grape varieties – Sauvignette (36%), Petit Milo (59%) and Amiel (5%). Allegro is the most dynamic on the Unsworth whites for pairing with food.

Stainless steel tank fermented, extended lees contact and full malolactic conversion.

Alcohol 12.5% | pH 3.15 |TA 8.1 gm/L|RS 2.4 gm/L

Pale lemon yellow in colour, the dry white has a fragrant aroma of white flowers. Flavours of apple, grapefruit, green papaya and a hint of honey with a rich mouthfeel, high acidity and generous length. 90 Points

Unsworth Petit Milo 2019 ($21.65)

Whole cluster pressed. Fermented in stainless steel for 15 days at 18.5C.

Alcohol 12.9% | pH 3.23 |TA 8.6 gm/L|RS 12 gm/L

The perfect example of how great Petit Milo can be! 

The off-dry wine has distinctive floral aromas of honeysuckle, citrus and ripe pineapple. Flavours of pineapple, white peach, ripe pear, green apple, lemon and pink grapefruit. Pure, bright, juicy and lively. 92 Points

Paired perfectly with pan-fried Atlantic Sole. 

For another interesting BC Petit Milo wine see – Seaside Pearl Farmgate Winery and Petit Milo

Unsworth Pinot Gris Saison Vineyard 2019 ($24.26)

This is Unsworth’s inaugural single vineyard Pinot Gris. Unsworth has worked with Saison Vineyard since the first vintage in 2010 and they have consistently been the backbone of the fruit sourcing. As the estate vineyards have matured and are yielding high-quality fruit they wanted to celebrate the special terroir of Saison, thus deciding to make this single-vineyard Pinot Gris.

Primarily stainless steel tank fermented. Up to 10% neutral French Oak. Extended lees contact and full malolactic fermentation.

Alcohol 12.3% | pH 3.13 |TA 6.8 gm/L|RS 2.2 gm/L

Bright green apple and Anjou pear with Meyer lemon and delicate notes of fennel and herbs with pronounced Vancouver Island minerality. 91 Points

Unsworth Cuvée de l’île 2015 ($32.40)

The pinnacle of Unsworth’s sparkling wine collection, Cuvée de l’île is crafted in the traditional method a la Champagne, presenting as a more complex and savoury style.

A blend of Pinot Gris (50%), Pinot Noir (40%) and Auxerrois (10%) from the estate, and from parcels in Glenora and North Cowichan.

After tank and neutral barrel ageing, the wine is lees aged in bottle for a further 15 months before hand riddling and disgorgement. This is followed by a further 6 months ageing before release.

Alcohol 12.0% | pH 3.1 |TA 10.5 gm/L|RS zero dosage

The wine paired wonderfully with garlic prawns and green fried tomatoes with a crab remoulade sauce.

Unsworth Rosé 2019 ($21.65)

100% Pinot Noir. 6-12 hours of skin contact. Stainless steel tank fermented, extended lees contact and full malolactic conversion.

Alcohol 12.3% | pH 3.32 |TA 6.8 gm/L|RS 3.3 gm/L

Like a walk in a spring meadow. Light Salmon hue and medium body. Floral Aromas with wild strawberry and honeysuckle. Flavours of strawberry, melon and cranberry with a mineral backbone and crisp acidity. 92 Points

Unsworth Gamay Pinot Noir Field Blend ($21.65)

Light and delicate red field blend of Okanagan Valley Gamay and Pinot Noir from a vineyard in West Kelowna.  Co-fermented in open-top stainless then aged for 8 months in French oak Barrels.

Alcohol 12.5% | pH 3.55 |TA 6.2 gm/L|RS 3 gm/L

Perfectly paired tonight with a beef stir-fry and rice.

For the complete portfolio of Unsworth Vineyards BC Wines please visit the winery website.

References

1. Anthony Gismondi: New owners excited about ‘electric’ Unsworth, Vancouver Sun

Note: Updated June, 2021 to include current wine pricing.