TN: 2020 Tensley Syrah (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County)

John_Glas · January 31, 2022, 4:40pm

2020 Tensley Syrah - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (1/18/2022)
Day 1: Big style but not over the top. Black pepper, blackberries, minerals, red currants, floral and exotic spices. Medium plus finish and drinking well on a pop and pour. 92 points
Day 2: Fruit is the star on day 2 with blackberries, blueberries and cherry. Also featuring spice, floral, minerals and roasted red peppers. This is a bigger style Syrah but is balanced. 92 points
Day 3: This is why I do 3 Day Wine Reviews! Totally mellowed out and is better than day 1/2. Blueberries, raspberries, black pepper, spices, floral, exotic spices and minerals. It was never a hot wine on day 1 or 2 but was pretty intense. This needs some cellar time. 93 points
Recommendation: Half a day decant if consuming now. I would hold these until 2025 and beyond. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Thanks for the review. I am breaking one of these out for a blind syrah tasting I am putting together for a few friends. This sounded like a solid choice to throw in as a curveball against some Rhone and Australians with a little age. I figured it would need some additional decanter time, so glad to se a suggestion there.

I would open it on day 1. Try a little and pop the cork back in. Decant the day of the event for 2 to 4 hours and check in on it every hour. I would love to see the notes from that tasting.

Cheers

Scott_E1 · January 31, 2022, 4:56pm

2020 Tensley Syrah - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (1/18/2022)
Day 1: Big style but not over the top. Black pepper, blackberries, minerals, red currants, floral and exotic spices. Medium plus finish and drinking well on a pop and pour. 92 points
Day 2: Fruit is the star on day 2 with blackberries, blueberries and cherry. Also featuring spice, floral, minerals and roasted red peppers. This is a bigger style Syrah but is balanced. 92 points
Day 3: This is why I do 3 Day Wine Reviews! Totally mellowed out and is better than day 1/2. Blueberries, raspberries, black pepper, spices, floral, exotic spices and minerals. It was never a hot wine on day 1 or 2 but was pretty intense. This needs some cellar time. 93 points
Recommendation: Half a day decant if consuming now. I would hold these until 2025 and beyond. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Thanks for the review. I am breaking one of these out for a blind syrah tasting I am putting together for a few friends. This sounded like a solid choice to throw in as a curveball against some Rhone and Australians with a little age. I figured it would need some additional decanter time, so glad to se a suggestion there.

IMHO I don’t think the Tensley has a strong Rhoneish profile. Don’t get me wrong, I love this wine, but it doesn’t strike me as a Rhone ringer - too much fruit. I would try something like a Gramercy Syrah. Just another point of view. Cheers!

Mike_S · January 31, 2022, 5:42pm

2020 Tensley Syrah Colson is another level. Needs a very long decant or several more years.

John_Glas · January 31, 2022, 5:45pm

Or more days! I do want to crack open the 2020 version as I can get free shipping on it and paid $35.00.

John_Glas · February 5, 2022, 10:32pm

Had some errands to run today and got another six pack from a local shop in St. Paul. Hard to beat this at $20 a bottle.

S_Rash · February 6, 2022, 3:34am

I can’t find it here anymore

John_Glas · February 6, 2022, 4:19am

Plenty of places in California should have it. Can they ship to Las Vegas?

S_Rash · February 7, 2022, 12:26am

I’m going to Tensley in March and will pick some up while I am there

John_Glas · February 7, 2022, 1:50am

2020 Tensley Syrah - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (2/6/2022)
Day 1: For sure under $25 wine of the year candidate. Super amazing wine with dark berries, spice, blueberries, minerals, menthol and crushed rock. Medium to long finish. No heat and balanced wine. 92 points

This isn’t going to make it to day 3!