2023 All Blocks

Peppery darker berry fruits, sage, game, and sandalwood notes all emerge from the 2023 All Blocks Red Wine, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a plush, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. This Southern Rhône-like blend is textured, balanced, and has the structure to evolve for a solid decade or more. Drink 2025-2035. Joey Tensley started Tensley Wines in 1998 and has built it into one of the key Syrah producers in Santa Barbara County. Based in Los Olivos, he works with a mix of estate fruit and top vineyards including Colson Canyon, Thompson, Turner, Nolan, and Purisima Mountain. The range today spans varietal Syrahs from these sites, the flagship OGT and BMT cuvées (bottled only in magnum), the Syrah Noir, as well as red blends and small amounts of white wine such as Clairette Blanche. Winemaking is straightforward, with native fermentations, varying amounts of whole cluster, and mostly neutral oak aging. Tensley has always been remarkably consistent, but the 2023s might be the finest vintage I’ve tasted from him across the board.