Tensley Colson Canyon Vineyard Syrah 2021

In the late 1990’s coming off a decade-long stint as a “cellar rat” for Fess-Parker, Joey Tensley decided to start his own thing. His goal was to create beautiful Big Red wines, mainly from his favorite grape, Syrah – which he felt could absolutely thrive in the Santa Barbara climate.

By 2001, the wine press took notice. That year Matt Kramer of the Wine Spectator named two of Tensley’s 2001 Syrah’s to his list of the Top Ten Wines in the World and Robert Parker, Jr. himself scored all the ‘01’s in the high 90’s, calling them “serious, hand-crafted efforts.”

By 2008, Food and Wine Magazine named the Colson Canyon Syrah “Top Syrah in America Over $20.” Two years later, Robert Parker gave the 2008 Anniversary Series Colson Canyon Syrah 99 points, and The Wine Spectator named the 2008 Colson Canyon Syrah #17 of its Top 100 Wines in the World. The 2007 Colson Canyon Syrah was ranked #22 the year before. Since then, the hit parade of high scores has never relented.

But the new 2021 Colson Canyon Vineyard Syrah release is absolutely drop dead gorgeous and happens to be the highest rated in the history of The Wine Advocate. There aren’t many if any Californian Big Reds that have three scores of 95+ points or more, but there aren’t many wines like this, either.