Tensley

Colson Canyon Vineyard Syrah

9.2336 ratings
9.146 pro ratings
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, USA
Syrah
Lamb
Top Notes For
Ron R
9.1

RP and Co. jacked up this Syrah. It’s ok, but wifey and I feel that this is nowhere near the 97 RP lavished upon it. They must have suffered the ID-I0T error. Better Syrah’s are everywhere. Thankfully we only purchased one bottle. Nothing much to see here…

RP and Co. jacked up this Syrah. It’s ok, but wifey and I feel that this is nowhere near the 97 RP lavished upon it. They must have suffered the ID-I0T error. Better Syrah’s are everywhere. Thankfully we only purchased one bottle. Nothing much to see here…

Jul 2nd, 2023
Delectable Wine

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9.4

The 2020 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is a dense, potent wine. The purity of the fruit is remarkable. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2020 is still incredibly primary. Inky red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol and rose petal open with a bit of coaxing. All this needs is time and a bit more polish. As always, the Colson Canyon Syrah is one of the most distinctive wines in Joey Tensley's range. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2022)

The 2020 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is a dense, potent wine. The purity of the fruit is remarkable. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2020 is still incredibly primary. Inky red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol and rose petal open with a bit of coaxing. All this needs is time and a bit more polish. As always, the Colson Canyon Syrah is one of the most distinctive wines in Joey Tensley's range. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2022)

Aug 26th, 2022
Jake Hajer

Beautiful Syrah. Vivid color. Mouthwatering acidity. A touch carbonic. Pomegranate syrup. Black cherry. Will age well.

Beautiful Syrah. Vivid color. Mouthwatering acidity. A touch carbonic. Pomegranate syrup. Black cherry. Will age well.

Aug 22nd, 2022
Delectable Wine

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9.5

The 2019 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is one of my favorite wines in this range. Bright and punchy, the Colson Canyon is such a distinctive wine. Red/purplish berry fruit, wild flowers, spice, leather and rose petal open in the glass. More than anything else, I admire the wine's drive. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2021)

The 2019 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is one of my favorite wines in this range. Bright and punchy, the Colson Canyon is such a distinctive wine. Red/purplish berry fruit, wild flowers, spice, leather and rose petal open in the glass. More than anything else, I admire the wine's drive. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2021)

Oct 28th, 2021
Shay A
9.2

Last time I had a Tensley Colson Syrah was about two years ago and it was the 2016. As a youngster, it was a purple fruit, bombastic, hedonistic monster. Tasting this 2012 with some age to it, I’m somewhat shocked it could channel the profile I experienced…as in, when it shed the baby fat, there is a distinct and rich mid palate here without going flabby.

Some bricking is taking place here as the wine pours a dark red with some fading around the rim. Aromatics of grilled dark plum, black currant, black tea and herbs with sweet cherry jerky. The palate is dense and rich with very little acidity, and an integrated finish with not much tannin. Balsamic drizzled black cherries dominate the palate here along with chewing tobacco leaves and muddled red and black fruits. Followed over two days and it stayed consistent. This isn’t getting any better, so drink up.

Last time I had a Tensley Colson Syrah was about two years ago and it was the 2016. As a youngster, it was a purple fruit, bombastic, hedonistic monster. Tasting this 2012 with some age to it, I’m somewhat shocked it could channel the profile I experienced…as in, when it shed the baby fat, there is a distinct and rich mid palate here without going flabby.

Some bricking is taking place here as the wine pours a dark red with some fading around the rim. Aromatics of grilled dark plum, black currant, black tea and herbs with sweet cherry jerky. The palate is dense and rich with very little acidity, and an integrated finish with not much tannin. Balsamic drizzled black cherries dominate the palate here along with chewing tobacco leaves and muddled red and black fruits. Followed over two days and it stayed consistent. This isn’t getting any better, so drink up.

Jun 23rd, 2021
Josh Morgenthau

Sweet and concentrated. Really wonderful syrah character with pipe tobacco, amaretto and cherry cobbler. Only complaint is this is not very refreshing. Very extracted and a mouth stainer.

Sweet and concentrated. Really wonderful syrah character with pipe tobacco, amaretto and cherry cobbler. Only complaint is this is not very refreshing. Very extracted and a mouth stainer.

Mar 6th, 2021
Delectable Wine

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9.7

A wine of immense pedigree and stature, the 2018 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard captures the essence of Joey Tensley's style. Soaring aromatics, dense fruit and beams of tannin shape a Syrah of intense richness and savory depth. The Colson Canyon Syrah is a wine of tremendous dimension that gets better and better with time in the glass. Cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, iron and bright red fruit build into the palate-staining finish. All I can say is: Wow!! (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2020)

A wine of immense pedigree and stature, the 2018 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard captures the essence of Joey Tensley's style. Soaring aromatics, dense fruit and beams of tannin shape a Syrah of intense richness and savory depth. The Colson Canyon Syrah is a wine of tremendous dimension that gets better and better with time in the glass. Cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, iron and bright red fruit build into the palate-staining finish. All I can say is: Wow!! (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2020)

Aug 21st, 2020
Michael Herzog

Herbal, nice fruit. Not as savory as I would have expected.

Herbal, nice fruit. Not as savory as I would have expected.

May 2nd, 2020
Eric Urbani

Too young

Too young

Mar 3rd, 2020
Shay A
9.2

Monthly WTF wine group night. Our theme was American oak vs French oak. All wines tasted blind. We started off with two bottles of bubbly and finished with two non-themed reds.

Jammy! It actually smelled carbonic? Surprising. Dark and baked fruit without being dense with rich meats/bacon at the finish. I guessed this as Cali Syrah with French oak. Thanks
@Will Adams

Monthly WTF wine group night. Our theme was American oak vs French oak. All wines tasted blind. We started off with two bottles of bubbly and finished with two non-themed reds.

Jammy! It actually smelled carbonic? Surprising. Dark and baked fruit without being dense with rich meats/bacon at the finish. I guessed this as Cali Syrah with French oak. Thanks
@Will Adams

Sep 11th, 2019