2021 Tensley Colson Canyon
2021 Tensley Colson Canyon, Syrah from Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California.
This is the most under-valued top quality red wine made in California today. Joe Tensley has received more 94-99 pt scores for his Syrah’s than any other winemaker. His signature vineyard and signature wine is the Colson Canyon Syrah. Today he owns this vineyard treasure and him managing the vineyard and winemaking process, the quality of this wine has got even better. The 2021 Tensley Colson Canyon Syrah got a huge 96pts by Vinous , 96 pts by Jeb Dunnuck and Vinous refers to the wine as “a showstopper”. Other scores are too follow. This wines rivals the quality of other greats Syrah’s like Saxum, Sine Qua Non and Alban but can be had at a fraction of the price, others selling for upwards of $150 a bottle. If this wine was a Cult Napa it would be over $200 a bottle. The quality of the wine is impeccable and to think it’s under $45 a bottle is hard to believe with California red wine prices. This is truly a master winemaker that makes wine from one of the greatest single vineyards in California. The wine is a big rich red with huge concentration, oodles of black and red berry fruit, toasted vanilla, a myriad of spices and smoke. Lovers of big reds this will blow you away at the price. The wine always sells out, a wine of true greatness at a fraction of the price of others.
The 2021 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is one of the highlights among the 2021s I tasted from Joey Tensley. Vibrant and driving in feel, the Colson Syrah is endowed with tremendous character. Blue/purplish fruit, gravel, incense, menthol and lavender all take shape as the 2021 shows off its striking beauty. There is so much to look forward to. 96pts Vinous
The 2021 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard also shows lots of richness, yet it never goes over the top, and the purity as well as the quality of the tannins are spot on. Full-bodied, perfumed, and complex, with a kiss of chalky minerality, it’s not going to break the trend of incredible vintages from this vineyard. Jeb Dunnuck 96pts
In 1998 Joey Tensley launched Tensley Wines with one hundred cases and one single goal – to start a well-priced, Syrah-driven brand that let the unique vineyards of Santa Barbara County speak for themselves.
Joey’s first experience with wine took place when he was just twelve-years-old and his soccer team toured a winery while taking part in a tournament in France. Joey vividly recalls the chill of the old caves and the aromas of wines fermenting in barrel. From that moment on he knew he wanted to be a winemaker. “Which pretty much made me the only kid in Bakersfield with that particular dream,” Joey says.