2023 Tensley Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard
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Tasting notes
All Syrah from Colson Canyon Vineyard, fermented with 30% whole clusters and aged 10 months in 25% new French oak, the 2023 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is deep purple-hued, medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and pure, with fabulous aromatics of blueberries, wild strawberries, violets, pepper, and flowery incense. It has terrific purity, a pure, layered mouthfeel, and a great finish. I love it today, but this cuvée ages gracefully as well. Drink 2025-2040. Joey Tensley started Tensley Wines in 1998 and has built it into one of the key Syrah producers in Santa Barbara County. Based in Los Olivos, he works with a mix of estate fruit and top vineyards including Colson Canyon, Thompson, Turner, Nolan, and Purisima Mountain. The range today spans varietal Syrahs from these sites, the flagship OGT and BMT cuvées (bottled only in magnum), the Syrah Noir, as well as red blends and small amounts of white wine such as Clairette Blanche. Winemaking is straightforward, with native fermentations, varying amounts of whole cluster, and mostly neutral oak aging. Tensley has always been remarkably consistent, but the 2023s might be the finest vintage I’ve tasted from him across the board.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2023 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard once again shows how unique this site is. Black cherry, plum, licorice, crushed rocks, graphite, cured meats, iron and chalk are some of the many notes that grace this complex, wonderfully dynamic Syrah. There's so much going on here.
The 2023 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is a wine of tremendous depth and authority. It carries stunning weight without heaviness, delivering layers of dark fruit infused with savory accents of leather, soil, iron and incense. With time in the glass, flashes of blood orange and India ink add brilliance and lift to the brooding core. Statuesque in build yet finely balanced, this is a Syrah of gravitas and real presence. All class, all day.