Tensley Tierra Alta Syrah 2010 Front Label
Tensley Tierra Alta Syrah 2010 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

In 2010 Tierra Alta lowered its output by dropping their crop to one cluster per shoot for a yield of about two and a half tons per acre. The result is a darker and more concentrated Tierra Alta than we have seen in years past. But have no fear, this Tierra Alta still shines with all the wonderful characteristics that its famed clone has to offer. The 99 Syrah clone is known for its mineral and earthy nuances and dynamic yet elegant fruit notes. So while this vintage is very extracted, it is also very finessed and feminine. This wine is driven by velvety flavors of plum, violet, and blueberry balanced by a strong backbone of lively acidity. Try this Syrah with duck or turkey as well as heartier meat dishes. Drink this wine now or age it over the next 8 or 9 years.

Professional Ratings

  • 94
    Exhibits a broad range of supple flavors, extending from beefy wild berry to touches of blueberry, tomato paste and olive tapenade to loamy earth. Beautifully balanced, this is elegant and stylish. Drink now through 2023.
Tensley

Tensley

View all products
Image for Syrah / Shiraz content section
View all products

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.”

Image for Central Coast California content section

Central Coast

California

View all products

The largest and perhaps most varied of California’s wine-growing regions, the Central Coast produces a good majority of the state's wine. This vast California wine district stretches from San Francisco all the way to Santa Barbara along the coast, and reaches inland nearly all the way to the Central Valley.

Encompassing an extremely diverse array of climates, soil types and wine styles, it contains many smaller sub-AVAs, including San Francisco Bay, Monterey, the Santa Cruz Mountains, Paso Robles, Edna Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley.

While the Central Coast California wine region could probably support almost any major grape varietiy, it is famous for a few Central Coast reds and whites. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are among the major ones. The Central Coast is home to many of the state's small, artisanal wineries crafting unique, high-quality wines, as well as larger producers also making exceptional wines.

KOE120639_2010 Item# 120639