Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Tensley – Colson Canyon Vineyard Syrah 2022
Santa Maria Valley AVA, Santa Barbara County, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
100% Syrah from the high-elevation, rocky Colson Canyon Vineyard—a benchmark site for dense, expressive Rhône-style reds in Santa Barbara County. The 2022 shows trademark intensity with lifted aromatics and serious structure.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry and dark plum core with waves of pepper, smoked meat, coffee, and anise, plus subtle floral and stony/mineral undertones. Opens steadily in the glass, gaining savory complexity.

Mouthfeel
Medium-to-full bodied with firm, well-knit tannins and lively acidity. Long, graceful finish. A touch of youthful CO₂ “ping” on opening can appear—vigorous swirling knocks it right back.

Winemaking Notes
Site-driven, concentrated Colson fruit; crafted for purity and power. 2022 has the stuffing to age 15–20 years, but is compelling with proper air today.

Food Pairing
Grilled lamb chops, pepper-crusted steak, duck confit, wild-mushroom ragù, smoked brisket, or aged Manchego/Gouda.

Verdict
An explosive yet composed Colson Canyon Syrah—all spice, smoke, and dark fruit wrapped in precision. Fantastic now after a hearty decant; built for the long haul. — 5 days ago

Sam Friedland

8.9

Great pleasant wine. — 3 months ago

Boris Mathiszik

9.2

Tasting the ‘22 vintage. Ballard Canyon’s best. Beautiful Syrah. — 5 months ago

Bryn and Tanya

9.8

We got vanilla and peach on the nose, with a struck-match edge that added a savory note. It felt delicate for a Chardonnay but very enjoyable. The balance was spot on. — 2 days ago

Ron

9.2

Goes well with sweet potato chips, lol — 3 months ago

with Meli

Doug Powers

9.2

Sweet oak, black and blue fruits, and finally some spice and structure from the dollop of Petite Sirah, solid balance, needs more cellaring to soften the structure, very good Central Coast Syrah! — 5 months ago

with Jim

Jake Hajer

9.2

Dark complex blend. Lots of different varietals and muddled coffee, cherry, dark fruit flavors. — 2 months ago

Mark S.

9.0

Elegant type of ZF. Balanced. Green & Red Vineyards wine 22 @, 250626 — 2 months ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.0

Quite perky 2022. Not modern style, much more acidity than expected. Rich robust dark fruit. Tight tannins. Really nice. — 4 months ago

Rob Brobst III

9.9

Even better than the crazy-good 2007, the 2015 La Sangre de Jonata is sheer perfection in a glass and up with the finest Syrahs ever made in California! Checking in as a blend of 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier, aged in barrel, its saturated purple color is followed by out of this world aromatics black raspberries, smoked earth, graphite, game, violets and freshly crushed rock-like minerality. — 6 months ago