This vintage showed so well the other night. Went so well with Greek food. — 3 months 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
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! — 2 months ago
Red blend from CA. A gift from Joan and Jen. Phil and I both liked it. — 5 months ago
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! — 2 months ago
Fundamental notes — 4 months ago
Hazy deep yellow gold (unfiltered? skin contact?). Caramelized balsa and menthol peaches in the abundant nose. Confirmed on the medium full palate which adds layers of dried quince, baking spices, pickled watermelon rind, and a host of other subtle flavors. Medium acidity from entry; bitter almond on the lengthy, non-stop finish. More complex than you might be expecting, this is a white for hearty fare. Drink now through 2027. — a year ago
Doug Powers
Very northern Rhone-like, only 13.5% ABV so has a cool-climate feel to it (I’ve always thought Turner Vineyard Syrah is Joey’s most Rhone-like, which is why it’s always been my favorite)!! — 10 days ago