From the estate vineyard in the hills above Los Olivos, the 2018 Syrah Colson Canyon is all Syrah that was 70% destemmed and spent 16 months mostly in used barrels (a small amount new). This deeply colored effort offers up a gorgeous bouquet of crème de cassis, smoked game, sappy flowers, and a kiss of bacon fat. It needs air to show at its best and is full-bodied and beautifully textured, with bright acidity and a great finish. It's another brilliant wine from Tensley that does everything right. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following 10-15.

(92 - 94 points) Opaque purple-black, the finished barrel sample of 2018 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is still quite primary on the nose, showing glimpses of warm black and blue fruits, coffee, prosciutto, sage and chocolate. Full-bodied, rich and intense in the mouth, it's youthfully wound with firm, grainy tannins and good freshness, finishing long.- EB