Unsworth is one of our favourite Vancouver Island wineries. I first tried their sparkling wines in 2018 – Unsworth Vineyards and Charme De L’Ile.
It was also good to hear that the winery owners have purchased an additional 60 acres of land outside Duncan and plan to double their production from 10,000 cases to 20,000.
A number of the wines are from the 2020 vintage, so here is a recap of that harvest before we go to the tasting notes.
Harvest 2020
“A relatively dry and warm April and May lead to early jump on the season which was quickly taken away by a classic June-uary. Which lead to a slow and imperfect flowering and ultimately to loose clusters and lower yields.
On the positive side, these lower yields likely helped speed up ripening but the timing resulted in a later season. We hit another hiccup with the smoke accumulation in early September which slowed sugar production. However, we lucked out with a beautifully dry and warm fall which kept acid metabolism on track and allowed us to pick well into the latter half of October.
Despite lower GDD this year, we still remained in the low end of the last 6 years which is much higher than the historical average of the last 20 years. We ended in a similar place as 2019 albeit by a very different route.
I think the flavours are a little more developed owing to a slightly nicer fall but I certainly don’t want to short change 2019.”
Dan Wright, Winemaker, Unsworth Vineyards
Unsworth Chardonnay 2019 ($30.35)
2019 marks the inaugural release of Unsworth Chardonnay which is certain to become a mainstay of their Portfolio. The grapes are from the Mildenstein Vineyard. The cool climate expression of this noblest grape is dry and poised on the palate with an elegant integration of fruit.
The Chardonnay was fermented and aged for 8 months in neutral French oak barrels.
Alcohol 11.9% | pH 3.1 |TA 6.45 gm/L | RS 0.41 gm/L | SO2: 11 ppm
This is a young bone dry chardonnay. Aromas of Meyer lemon, yellow apple and marzipan. Flavours of lemon zest, Mandarin orange and green apple with chalky minerality. The wine will develop more complexity with 3-5 years of cellaring. 90 Points
The chardonnay was paired perfectly with Indonesian pork tenderloin and vegetable stir fry.
Unsworth Rosé 2020 ($24.49)
The grapes were harvested from three vineyards – Damm Vineyard (82%), Unsworth Vineyard (10%), Cherry Point Vineyard (8%)
100% Pinot Noir. 100% Stainless steel tank fermented, aged in stainless steel on fine lees for 3 months.
Alcohol 11.7% | pH 3.37 |TA 5.9 gm/L | RS 3.5 gm/L | SO2: 23 ppm
Like a walk in a spring meadow. Light Salmon hue and medium body. Floral Aromas with wild strawberry and honeysuckle. Flavours of strawberry, melon, cranberry and rhubarb with a very light mineral backbone and crisp acidity. 91 Points
Unsworth Sunnydale Vineyards Rosé 2020 ($27.30)
Sunnydale Vineyard, located on the Saanich Peninsula’s Mount Newton, have been supplying Unsworth with Pinot Noir grapes since the inaugural vintage. Fermented in 100% neutral barriques and aged in stainless steel on fine lees for 4 months.
Alcohol 12 % | pH 3.37 |TA 5.0 gm/L | RS .47 gm/L | SO2: 24 ppm
The Sunnydale rosé is a little drier but similar to the regular Unsworth rosé. Light salmon in colour. Elegant, soft and easy drink alone or with food. Floral aromas, the fruity rosé has flavours of ripe strawberries, red cherries and pink grapefruit. 92 Points
Unsworth Pinot Noir 2019 ($32.40)
Selected from the best hillside blocks from the estate vineyards, the Pinot Noir fruit that is destined for red wine is handled with the utmost care consistent with premium Pinot Noir production. Volumes are low to keep quality high.
Destemmed, whole berry fermentation in stainless steel. Aged in barriques (10% new) for 12 months.
Alcohol 12 % | pH 3.69 |TA 5.4 gm/L | RS .15 gm/L | SO2: 21 ppm
Aromas of red cherries, violets and cinnamon. Flavours of black cherry, red plum with a hint of forest floor and earthy undertones. Dry, medium acid, fine tannins, light body. 92 points
Paired perfectly with BBQ Sockeye Salmon on a cedar plank.
For the complete portfolio of Unsworth Vineyards BC Wines please visit the winery website.