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93-95 WA. "Another blockbuster is Tensley's 2014 Syrah Colson Canyon. Yields were down close to 40% for this vineyard in 2014. The only wine to see new oak, it spends roughly 11-16 months in 40% new French oak prior to bottling. It offers incredible notes of graphite, olive tapenade, white pepper and decadent levels of black raspberry that flow beautifully to a full-bodied Syrah that has a huge mid-palate, plenty of tannin and a monster finish. It should have 10-12 years or longevity. Santa Barbara County’s Joey Tensley continues to make ripe, textured and voluptuous wines that deliver serious bang for the buck. The latest 2013s and 2014s are all outstanding. However, recent vintages are pushing on the sweetness level, and in a number of cases, there’s obvious residual sugar in the wines." Wine Advocate #220, Aug 2015 |