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Tensley Colson Canyon Vineyard Syrah 2013
A blockbuster new Syrah from Joe Tensley, one of the Santa Barbara region's leading Syrah producers. Try this gem before it's gone. 97 Points Robert Parker: "The largest-scaled Colson Canyon to date, the 2013 Syrah Colson Canyon is classic cassis, black raspberry, graphite and toasty notes to go with a full-bodied, concentrated and layered profile on the palate. This got a big “Wow” in the notes, and while it doesn’t pull any punches with regards to fruit or texture, it stays lively and elegant. It will have 10-15 years of longevity. This is another great lineup by Joey Tensley. He has a couple new releases in the lineup (Syrah 27m and the Tensley Vineyard), and his single vineyard releases continue to offer sensational value." 94 Points Antonio Galloni: "Violets, new leather, smoke, licorice, plum, black cherry and sweet spices meld together in the 2013 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard. A wine of remarkable depth and purity, the 2012 boasts superb intensity and depth. This is another highly promising wine from Joey Tensley." Winery Notes: This year’s Colson represents one of the most powerful and structured Colson’s we’ve produced to date. 2013 was a very dry vintage that stressed the vines and resulted in small, intense berries that gave us dark, intense juice. After approximately 21 days of skin contact, the juice was pressed off to French oak barrels for aging. 80% of the barrels were neutral and 20% were new, following our traditional aging plan for the Colson. The resulting wine is deep and pure with woody notes and a decadent, velvety mouthfeel. Blackberries, black currants, smoke, pepper and vanilla round out the flavor profile. Drink this wine now or age it up to 12 years.
Ratings on Delectable
Andrew Lampasone 
Owner Wine Watch Selections
A little monster
A little monster
9.5John Sweeney
Initially very tight and uninspiring. Better on the 2nd day more rhoney
Initially very tight and uninspiring. Better on the 2nd day more rhoney
8.5
John Howard
Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries
Blueberry jam, licorice and minerals. Muted on nose a bit. Hides the 15% alcohol well. Delicious!
Blueberry jam, licorice and minerals. Muted on nose a bit. Hides the 15% alcohol well. Delicious!
9.1April Schlanger
A smoky, inky Syrah with yummy quality. Blackberries, soil and ink come to mind. The wine is fat with great texture, tannins and a bit of spice. Awesome finish. Need to buy more.
A smoky, inky Syrah with yummy quality. Blackberries, soil and ink come to mind. The wine is fat with great texture, tannins and a bit of spice. Awesome finish. Need to buy more.
9.5
Paul Jakubowski
PnP. Dark red and purple color. Rustic nose with olives and plums. Sweet cherries, prunes, and olives on the palate. Super big, deep wine. Medium plus finish. Not really my style but pretty good.
PnP. Dark red and purple color. Rustic nose with olives and plums. Sweet cherries, prunes, and olives on the palate. Super big, deep wine. Medium plus finish. Not really my style but pretty good.
9.1
Mark Turner
@Shay A inspired me to dig this out of the cellar. Turns out I had a bunch of the 2013, not the 2012. Read his review in concert with this. Bright and clear reddish purple in the glass. Similar to the 2012, this presented notes of bing cherry, plum and black tea but not any of the tobacco noted on the 2012. Good color with no oxidation whatsoever. Balanced acid and fruit on the palate. Little if any tannin. Finish was more cherry with a little herbal thing going on that I could not put my finger on . Overall very pleasant and can go for a few more years.
@Shay A inspired me to dig this out of the cellar. Turns out I had a bunch of the 2013, not the 2012. Read his review in concert with this. Bright and clear reddish purple in the glass. Similar to the 2012, this presented notes of bing cherry, plum and black tea but not any of the tobacco noted on the 2012. Good color with no oxidation whatsoever. Balanced acid and fruit on the palate. Little if any tannin. Finish was more cherry with a little herbal thing going on that I could not put my finger on . Overall very pleasant and can go for a few more years.
9.1
Eric
Nice and smooth. Great black fruit. No meat or pepper.
Nice and smooth. Great black fruit. No meat or pepper.
9.3Matt Forester
Evolving into a big-nosed Kalamata olive. Some blueberry, baking spices. Jammy.
Evolving into a big-nosed Kalamata olive. Some blueberry, baking spices. Jammy.
9.0
Blake Walker
Full flavored, with dark berries. Hint of vanilla. Smooth textured. Subtle white pepper on finish.
Full flavored, with dark berries. Hint of vanilla. Smooth textured. Subtle white pepper on finish.
9.2
Bitterman The Pirate
Dense with deep blackberry jam flavors overplayed with pepper. Definitely leans to the ripe site - very powerful and flavorful.
Dense with deep blackberry jam flavors overplayed with pepper. Definitely leans to the ripe site - very powerful and flavorful.
9.0
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