Freddy R. Troya

9.2

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. — 2 days ago

John Pavlovich

9.3

This vintage showed so well the other night. Went so well with Greek food. — 2 months ago

Alyssa Hague

9.0

Red blend from CA. A gift from Joan and Jen. Phil and I both liked it. — 4 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Deep Ruby red color with aromas of ripe black berry fruits floral, cedar and earthy spicy herbs. On the palate flavors of blackberry, raspberry and cherry fruit with black pepper, herb, cacao and earthy oak notes. Fine tannins, well balanced, good acidity, medium+ finish, ending with fruit, spice, toasty oak and earthy mineral character. Nice! — 25 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Deep Ruby red color with aromas of ripe red/black berry fruits floral and earthy spicy herbs. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry fruit with black pepper, herb, cacao and earthy notes. Fine chalky tannins, well balanced, good acidity, medium+ finish, almost, ending with fruit, spice and earthy mineral character. Nice! — 25 days ago

Doug Powers

9.3

I last posted on this wine in November of 2024, other than the cork breaking off the worm near the end, this again shows the cooler blue fruit spectrum, complex, long, lingering finish, great Central Coast Syrah!! — 4 months ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.2

Blue and black fruit aromas, nicely rich, still some good structure, nice balancing acidity, long, lingering finish, very fine Central Coast Syrah!! — a month ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

8.9

Mostly blue fruits, crisp acidity, smells mature, but palate is still pretty fresh, medium-long finish, time to drink up! — a month ago

with Jim

Jason Muniz

8.9

Fundamental notes — 3 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Always express admiration for Joe Tensley wine and his entry level “Fundamental” isn’t an exception. This casual, mildly aromatic but super approachable Pinot Noir showcases a well-made, berry driven with medium tannins and a juicy finish. The mouthfeel is mildly spice and subtle earthiness. Never disappoints! — 9 months ago