It is hard to believe that Tensley was founded all the way back in 1998. Joey Tensley linitially aunched Tensley Wines with a one hundred case production. He set out craft reasonably priced Syrah wines from great vineyards of Santa Barbara County. In 1993 Joey first began working as a “cellar rat” for Fess Parker Winery in Santa Barbara County. He later became assistant winemaker at Babcock Vineyards and in 1998 Joey moved on to become the assistant winemaker at Beckmen Vineyards where he first created his own label. Having visited the winery and tasting room on several occasions, I have been very impressed with Tensley releases for more than a decade as there are few California Syrah wines that offer this much value.
His new wines continue to be really well-priced. I adored his 2021 Tensley ‘Tensley Vineyard’ Syrah (OB, 96) which is dense and heady with fantastic flavor range.Learn more about this amazing range of wines at which is a massive yet structured wine that will cellar beautifully for a decade or more.
2023 Tensley Clairette Blanche- Golden in the glass, this 2023 Clairette Blanche offers good finesse with plenty of stuffing on the palate, showing toasty brioche and banana notes alongside rich melon flavors. A total knockout in terms of verve and richness, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next six to eight years. Drink 2024-2030- 93
2022 Tensley P2KV ‘Zaca Mesa Vineyard’ Viognier/Roussanne- This beautiful wine utilizes clone R Viognier and Tablas Creek clone Roussanne. Vines from this site were planted back in 1997. This is rich and slightly sweet with peach and golden delicious apple flavors with nutty nuances on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2024-2029- 91
2022 Tensley ‘Santa Barbara County’ Syrah- This gorgeous wine from 2022 is under 35 bucks and totally overdelivers for the price. Brisket, fresh sage and blackberry fruit flavors mingle well with the smooth texture and good sense of finesse. An awesome wine now, enjoy over the next six to eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2022 Tensley P2KV ‘Zaca Mesa Vineyard’ Red Wine- This outstanding GSM inspired wine combines near equal parts of each varietal and comes from the Zaca Mesa Vineyard which was planted between 1978 and 1997. The balance here and sense of richness is wonderful, as sweet pipe tobacco, smoked meats and dense fig flavors combine with shades of coffee grounds on the palate. Full-bodied and neatly textured, this is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2024-2032- 94
2022 Tensley P2KV ‘Zaca Mesa Vineyard’ Syrah/Grenache- The stunning 2022 Tensley P2KV ‘Zaca Mesa Vineyard’ Syrah/Grenache is marvelous and very heady effort in this warm vintage. Once on the nose this takes on scorched earth and cigar box notes that combine with boysenberry cobbler and shades of dark chocolate shavings. The palate is fresh and lithe with a smooth texture. Very dense yet mineral-laden, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2022 Tensley P2KV ‘Zaca Mesa Vineyard’ Syrah- This 100% Estrella clone Syrah opens with heady black fruits with black licorice, allspice and shades of cedar on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting with a silky texture and great core of black fruit flavors. Full-bodied and soft on the mouth, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2024-2032- 94
2022 Tensley ‘Noir’ Syrah- Inky in the glass, the 2022 ‘Noir’ Syrah is very smooth on the mouth, loaded with dense black fruits with bacon fat, cigar ash and salty nuances. Its full-bodied and hedonistic stuff that is drinking marvelous in its heady youth. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2022 Tensley ‘Colson Canyon Vineyard’ Syrah- This world-class 2022 Syrah comes from the Colsen Canyon Vineyard which is set at 1400 feet and known for its cold nights. Considering the heat of the vintage, this comes off as very nervy stuff, with creme de violette, tar, tobacco leaf and wild blackberry fruit flavors. Refined and beautifully textured, enjoy over the next ten years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 95
2022 Tensley ‘All Blocks’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘All Blocks’ is a silky and rich effort that is already drinking beautifully. Once on the nose this takes on red currants and tobacco leaf notes that combine with smoked brisket on the nose. The palate is rich and layered with serious flavor density and good tension. Delicious now, watch this evolve over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2036- 95
2022 Tensley ‘Turner Vineyard’ Syrah- The outstanding 2022 Tensley ‘Turner Vineyard’ Syrah comes from this site set in the Santa Rita Hills. This is dense and rich Syrah that offers peppered bacon and black currants on the palate, alongside coffee grounds, milk chocolate and copious garrigue notes. Full-throttle and ready to go now, enjoy over the next decade. Drink 2024-2034- 96
2022 Tensley ‘Thompson Vineyard’ Syrah- The incredible 2022 Tensley ‘Thompson Vineyard’ Syrah is a killer wine from this hot vintage. Once on the nose this shows roasted figs and black currants alongside espresso grounds and tar with pipe tobacco accents. The palate is plush and full-bodied with plenty of underlying verve. A joy to savor now, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2034- 96
2022 Tensley ‘Tensley Vineyard’ Syrah- The outrageously good 2022 Tensley ‘Tensley Vineyard’ Syrah has a nice saline streak alongside iodine, cassis, menthol and shades of blackberry compote. Full-bodied and define right now in its heady youth, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 96