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94 WA.
"There are 175 cases of the 2013 Syrah Noir, and while it use to be all from a small parcel in the Colson Canyon vineyard (limestone soils, tiny berries), it now includes a small part from Tensley Vineyard. Inky colored, chewy, thick and unctuous . . . it offers decadent amounts of sweet plums, blackberry, smoked meats and violets that give way to a full-bodied, concentrated, blockbuster wine that has plenty of ripe tannin and a big finish. This won't be for everyone, given the sweetness level, but it's nevertheless a thrilling drink. 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 |