Winemaker Notes
#25 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2018
Like previous Colson vintages, this Colson is a powerhouse. But it’s a powerhouse with finesse. It’s floral and, as Joey puts it, "pretty". This Colson still delivers all the smoky meat qualities, dark fruits and chocolate of past vintages but with an elegance that lifts the experience. Drink this Colson now or age it over the next 12-15 years.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Ripe, plummy red and black fruits intermixed with exotic spice, white pepper, and floral, minty nuances all emerge from the 2016 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard, which was produced the year Tensley purchased the vineyard and took over the farming. All Syrah aged in roughly 20% new French oak, it sports a youthful plum/ruby hue as well as a classy, pure, layered mouthfeel, oodles of sweet fruit, and ripe, polished tannins. It's medium to full-bodied and has a satisfying.
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Wine Spectator
A distinctive red, with power, polish and structure, offering floral blueberry and garrigue aromas and dynamic huckleberry, river stone and smoky meat flavors that take on momentum toward the refined tannins. Drink now through 2028.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.