The nose is profoundly layered and regal: cedar chest, humid tobacco, graphite, and dried rose petals, unfolding slowly into red currant, black tea, sandalwood, and the faintest whisper of truffle and old parchment. It’s not about intensity; it’s about dimension…
On the palate, it is seamless and sovereign. Red and black fruits are fully resolved into essence rather than flavor; currant, cherry skin, a touch of plum; all wrapped in polished leather and earth. The tannins have dissolved into silk, the acidity remains statuesque, and the finish lingers with a calm, noble persistence that feels endless rather than long.
Chateau Margaux at its absolute summit: complete, composed, and eternal; power expressed through grace, and grace sharpened by the patience of time. Do drink now. — 11 days ago
Tensley – Syrah – 2023
Colson Canyon Vineyard – Santa Barbara County – USA 🇺🇸
Overview
100% Syrah from the high-elevation Colson Canyon Vineyard, a benchmark site that consistently delivers powerful yet balanced fruit. This vintage shows tension between ripeness, structure, and freshness.
Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, blackberry, cracked pepper, violet, licorice, and a subtle smoky undertone. Dark, spicy, and focused.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with sleek acidity and fine, integrated tannins. Concentrated but not heavy, with a long, peppery finish that lingers.
Food Pairings
Grilled lamb, beef skewers, duck confit, pepper-crusted steak, or roasted mushrooms.
Verdict
A balanced, expressive Syrah with depth, spice, and length – a great example of why Santa Barbara continues to challenge the top Rhône-style regions.
Did You Know?
Colson Canyon sits at nearly 1,500 ft elevation, producing small berries with thick skins, a key reason these Syrahs show intense color, aromatics, and age-worthy structure. — a month ago
Yes—exactly that kind of wine: timeless, composed, and quietly authoritative.
It smells so good on first pour. Damp pine forest floor and clean mountain air register immediately. Everything else unravels from there; but that initial pop-and-pour sniff is pure magic.
On the palate, blackcurrant, cedar, graphite, and dried herbs unfold with control, carried by freshness and finely etched tannins in a medium body.
So classic, so intellectual, and deeply mesmerizing. Drink now or age. — 11 days ago
A home run at the price. — 22 days ago
2 hour decant. A marvelous medium garnet color (decent fine sediment). On the nose: dark berries, cassis, forest floor, sandalwood, pencil shavings, chocolate, and cigar box. Taste: layered, balanced, still young wine with dark cherry/plum, cedar, dark chocolate, charcoal, and a lingering tobacco/leather finish. YUM! No hurry, a long distance Las Cases. — a month ago

Brian S
Holding very well, still has some legs but fruit is waning. — 10 days ago