Tensley Vineyard Syrah 2015 | Powerful & Explosive

Winery | The Tensley Vineyard Syrah 2015 is harvested from the Tensley estate vineyard.  With the first vine planted by their son, Oliver. Dark and intense with highlights of red plums and cherries. Nicely balanced by a subtle earthiness and firm, grainy tannins.

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95JD | The Tensley Vineyard Syrah 2015 comes from a site recently planted just outside of the town of Los Olivos. It’s an inky purple-colored Syrah that has tons of blackberry, smoked plum, olives and charred meat aromas and flavors. While it’s another full-bodied, rich and concentrated red from this estate.  Most of all have good acidity, ample underlying structure, and a great finish.  Yet this cuvee reminded me of a Cornas when I tasted it from the barrel, and I stand by that comparison today. Give bottles a decant if drinking anytime soon, and enjoy bottles through 2027.

93WS | Deeply structured and playing mostly bass notes.  This Tensley Vineyard Syrah 2015  offers dark berry and crushed rock aromas.  In addition plump but dense blueberry, herbes de Provence and licorice flavors. Drink now through 2028. 170 cases made.

More accolades | Parker & Galloni’s favorite Syrah Winemaker

95 Vinous | A powerful, explosive wine, the Tensley Vineyard Syrah 2015 is one of the highlights of the range. Bold and dark in expression, with tons of supporting tannins, the Tensley exudes intensity in all of its dimensions.  While the 33% whole clusters are nearly buried by the sheer richness of the fruit. This is an impressive showing.

94RP | Coming from a newly planted site located around the estate.  The Tensley Vineyard Syrah 2015 is reminiscent of a top-flight Cornas with its meaty, savory, crushed rock and smoked dark fruit aromas and flavors.  While medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured and with fine tannin.  Yet it shows the potential of this young vineyard.

Winemaker Joey Tensley

Joey Tensley is a Bakersfield farm boy with a savant-like knack for winegrowing. With his wife Lea, they bootstrapped their way to the top. The wines of his competition, the likes of Colgan and Kongsgaard, come with three-digit price tags.  However, the couple keeps their pricing modest, even with their brand on fire.