It was one of the first of a new wave of more modern wines to come out of the Hawkes Bay which were more concentrated and riper than most of the wines flowing out of here at the time. Even with young vines they showed plenty of stuffing and character. They also were one of the first wineries to seriously work with Syrah including it in their blend. Anna Barbara and Bruce Halliwell were humble and down to earth people working with much passion and detail. Was a shame to see them leave. Their last release was the 2005 vintage though they had a hand in the making of the 2006 vintage as well.
I have never gotten around to putting a group of people together to do a one sitting vertical of Hawkes Bays great unison Selection so we have decided to drink one bottle every Friday night of the 10 vintages released ourselves
I will add a new note every week2009 Unison Selection. NOT YET RELEASED
2008 Unison Selection. NOT MADE
2007 Unison Selection. Week 1 pick. This is the only vintage I have not tried. It seems to reflect the change in winemaker (Jenny Dobson ex Te Awa). It is more 'typical' Hawkes Bay and seems to be more a typical Bordeaux blend even though the back label has Syrah mentioned i would guess it is in a lot smaller quantities than before. It is a strikingly exact wine, refined, elegant and aristocratic. It is also surprisingly approachable and drinking fantastically now. Very impressive but quite different to the very distinctive Unison style which i think is a shame. School uniform is on, not quite the spunk and indivduality we have come to love. 95 Points
2006 Unison Selection
2005 Unison Selection
2004 Unison Selection
2003 Unison Selection NOT MADE
2002 Unison Selection
2001 Unison Selection Week 3 pick. This vintage was the pick of the bunch about 4 or 5 years ago when I attended a vertical. Again from a lesser vintage on paper and again Unison excels where others didn't do so well. This is a youthful and highly concentrated wine with a silky sensual mouth feel. Stunning complex nose just reeks class. Not quite the layers of complexity on the palate as the 1999 but everything else is there for an exciting experience to savour 96 Points
2000 Unison Selection Week 4 pick. I found this reasonably similar to the 2001 vintage. Quite primary still, bold with the typical x factor of Unison Selection. Concentrated, dark and brooding with plenty of spice, dark black berry fruit. Years left in this wine really. I am surprised how youthful these 10you vintages are. I have not even kept them in tip top storage. Another 96 Points here. Not as etheral as the 1999 but still a stonking wine.
1999 Unison Selection Week 2 pick. Wow, this is just a stunning wine. Exquisite! At a perfect point in its life this bottle is so compelling. Silky smooth long fine tannins with layer upon layer of gorgeous complex fruit. Just so exciting. This always was perhaps the best 1999 Hawkes Bay. Still lovely freshness from gentle acids, red plums, touch of black olive. Mouth filling and rich. Hawkes Bay really seldom comes any better than this from anyone in any vintage let alone one that is considered average. A masterclass!!! 97 Points
1998 Unison Selection
1997 Unison Selection
