Tensley, Santa Barbara County (California) Colson Canyon Vineyard Syrah 2023 ($52)

John Tensley is a legendary California winemaker, and his Colson Canyon Syrah stands as one of his flagship wines. Tensley first discovered Colson Canyon in 1997, the year before he launched his label. The vineyard, located at an elevation of 1,400 feet on the edge of the canyon, had just been planted by owner Reo Reiswig. Tensley quickly seized the opportunity to become Reiswig’s first client, and in 2001, he released his inaugural Colson Canyon Syrah. In 2016, Tensley and his wife Jennifer purchased the 115-acre Colson Canyon property from Reiswig, further solidifying their connection to this iconic site. The 2023 vintage is a stunning representation of the vineyard, offering rich aromas of stewed blackberry, blueberry, peppercorn, herbs, and coriander. Dense with firm tannins, the wine still maintains remarkable nimbleness. The palate is savory and deep, with juicy acidity and a long, earthy finish. While this wine is already impressive, it will continue to evolve and develop even more complexity in the years to come.
96 Miranda Franco