In 1998, Joey Tensley launched Tensley Wines, a winery in Santa Barbara County, where the mountain range runs from east to west. Eager to let the vineyard speak for itself, Joey produces vineyard designated Syrah wines that from day one, have been well received on the market. For his first vintage, Joey produced 100 cases, while serving as the assistant winemaker at Beckmen Vineyards, where he was given space to launch his own label.
Three years later, in 2001, Joey relocated to Buellton, CA to open his own winery, producing 750 cases of wines that immediately appeared on some of the country's top wine lists. This same year, Matt Kramer added two of Tensley's 2001 Syrah wines to the Wine Spectator's Top Ten Wines in the World list. An auspicious beginning for a young vintner? Absolutely! But it was also an incredibly solid foundation that followed with framework in the form of 90-95 point scores from Robert Parker for Tensley's 2001-2004 vintages.
Thirteen years later, Tensley currently produces 3,300 cases a year. Taking advantage of the many micro-climates that the Santa Barbara mountain range provides, Joey cultivates his Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in areas that are close to the ocean, while growing his Rhone varietals--Syrah, Grenache, and Viognier--further inland.
Jeb Dunnock 92 "Tasted out of bottle, the 2017 Red checks in as a complex blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Viognier. It over-delivers,
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California » Santa Barbara County
Jeb Dunnock 92-95 "I loved the 2017 Syrah Colson Canyon, a classic Tensley Syrah with its plum and darker fruits, peppery herbs, olive, and savory meatiness.
11dCalifornia » Central Coast
Jeb Dunnock 91 "From Santa Barbara and Monterey Counties, the 2017 Chardonnay gives up plenty of citrus, white peach, brioche, and charcoal notes to go
Wine Advocate 94-97 "The largest-scaled Colson Canyon to date, the 2013 Syrah Colson Canyon is classic cassis, black raspberry, graphite and toasty notes to go with
Wine Advocate 94-96+ "I wasn’t able taste through a full lineup of Tensley’s 2012, but what I was able to taste was certainly impressive. Overflowing with
Wine Advocate 90 "A new entry level wine and a knockout effort that represents a serious value, the 2012 Syrah Los Padres (2% Viognier) was aged
Vinous Media 92 " Inky ruby. A complex, perfumed nose evokes fresh blackberry, cherry, spicecake and violet. Juicy, supple and sweet on the palate, offering
Wine Advocate 90 "Even better, the 2013 Syrah Central Coast knocks it out of the park with its juicy plum, violets and gamey/bacon-like aromas and flavors.
Antonio Galloni 95 "The 2013 Syrah Turner Vineyard is super-expressive from start to finish. Pungent floral and savory notes lead to seemingly endless layers of fruit.
International Wine Cellar 90 "Bright ruby-red. High-pitched aromas of red berry preserves, Asian spices and sandalwood. Taut and spicy on entry, then fleshier and sweeter in
Wine Advocate 91 "The 2015 Syrah Los Padres is a smoking value that will dish out tons of pleasure. A blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Petite
Vinous Media 94-97 "Another highlight, the 2015 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard brings together so many of the elements that make Tensley's Syrahs so compelling. Intense in
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 "From the other estate vineyard, the 2016 Colson Canyon Vineyard comes from a remote site high up in the mountains, north of Los
California » Santa Barbara County
Wine Spectator 93 "Vibrant and layered, with expressive raspberry and blueberry flavors accented by garrigue notes, hints of mineral and smoked cracked pepper accents that take
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