2021 Tensley, P2KV, Zaca Mesa Vineyard Viognier & Rousanne, Santa Barbara County, California, USA
Critics reviews
The 2021 P2KV Blanc Zaca Mesa Vineyard is a brand-new wine from Joey Tensley. It comes from vines planted in 1997 and is composed equally of Viognier and Roussanne matured in neutral barrels without lees stirring. It offers loads and loads of aromatic intensity: peach, lemongrass and honeysuckle are accented by green herbs, meringue and musky touches.
The full-bodied palate is surprisingly fresh, with a kiss of phenolic texture drawing out its flavours on the very long finish. Concentrated, savoury and spicy, it's a gorgeous white that embraces loads of fruit and aromatics without going over the top in terms of ripeness or oak. It's an ideal candidate for the table or the cellar.
Drink 2022 - 2032
Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate (December 2022)
About this WINE
Tensley Wines
Joey Tensley discovered wine at the age of 12 during a soccer trip to Bordeaux. He started making wine in 1993 at 22 and set up his own Tensley brand in 1998, spending the next 20 years finessing his craft with vintages in Chile, Argentina, Spain, and the Rhône Valley. Joey had already discovered a particular passion for Syrah and had started his own production in Santa Barbara with the mindset to create great quality and affordable wines from Rhône varieties.
He has since extended his range, producing exciting top-quality Syrah from single vineyards with excellent cellaring potential under the Tensley label, as well as brilliant and affordable Rhône blends, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon for drinking now under his Fundamental label.
Joey’s approach is simple: he works with great fruit from the best growers in the Central Coast and is as ‘hands-off’ as possible in the winery with minimum use of oak and sulfur. In 2016, he purchased 16 acres of his only estate vineyard, Colson Canyon, which lies above the all-important fog line, from which he had already been buying grapes to make his flagship cuvée since 2000.
Known as the King of Syrah, Joey Tensley has become renowned for his expertise with this variety, gaining a long list of accolades and high scores from critics such as Robert Parker. Today, he is widely recognized as one of the foremost winemakers in California. His wines reflect his thoughtful, laid-back approach and demonstrate a mineral purity that is quite exceptional for this region, especially at these price points.
Santa Barbara County
At the foot of the Central Coast, just north of Los Angeles, the Santa Barbara County reverberates with its Missionary past, although viticulture as we know didn't arrive here until the 1970s. Now there are 6,000 ha of world class Pinot Noir & Chardonnay.
While fog banks shape the season, together with a notable rainfall deficit between May & November, elevated terraces such as Bien Nacido in the Santa Maria Valley AVA faciliate premium fruit growing. Santa Ynez Valley AVA enjoys similar trait, though cooler still;
Recommended Producers:
Au Bon Climat's Sanford & Benedict Chardonnay from the region's Santa Rita hills is a prime example. Qupe are another excellent source
Other Varieties
There are over 200 different grape varieties used in modern wine making (from a total of over 1000). Most lesser known blends and varieties are traditional to specific parts of the world.
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Description
‘P2KV’ refers to the pre-year 2000 vines, planted in 1997, from which Joey Tensley sources fruit to make a handful of very special wines. Joey sees himself as a second generation winemaker, following in the footsteps of the greats such as Jim Clendenen and Bob Lindquist. He describes this project as a nod to those pioneers of Santa Barbara, his modern-day version of the wines that they made so famous.
The 2020 Zaca Mesa white is a blend of 50% Marsanne and 50% Roussanne. The wine has a wonderfully open nose, the aromas just spring out at you. Yet it also feels focused, with layers of scent amongst the perfume. The palate is gorgeous with a huge depth of yellow apple, pear and white stone fruit. It is bright and full of energy, just singing on the tastebuds, and is so wonderfully textural. An appealing pithy, kernel note lingers on the long, rewarding and never-ending finish. Glorious.
Drink now to 2035
Catriona Felstead MW, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd
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