TENSLEY P2KV
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA 2022
Why Buy: If you've never had one of Joey Tensley's exceptional wines, you’re missing out. Last year’s P2KV allocation sold out, and we're making three of his wines from their newest vintage, including a 97-pointer, available to you for a special Concierge Family discount at 40% off! Tensley's the proverbial independent, hands-on in every aspect, and his small, Central Coast, Rhône-style estate wines reflect his craft approach. We're huge fans of his passion project, P2KV (the name refers to vineyards that were planted prior to 2000), and these three reds are some of the best releases yet from this estate.
What They're Saying: Jeb Dunnuck was nearly knocked over by his experience of the 2022 P2KV Colson Canyon Vineyard. "I wouldn't hold it against anyone for calling this a Côte Rôtie in a blind tasting. With full-bodied richness, a layered, elegant mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and one hell of a great finish, it needs to be hidden in the cellar for 4-5 years and will evolve gracefully over the following 15+."
Our Tasting Notes: The Syrah Zaca Mesa Vineyard 2022 is a bravura performance, a big, rich, hedonistic red that is such pure pleasure you almost don't notice how incredibly well-made it is – how exactingly, and with such careful detailing. The GSM from the same vintage is a blend of equal parts Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, and delivers a comparably intense and evocative experience. Such lushness and depth, but also, because of the old vines, such finesse and expressiveness, too.
The Story: Joey Tensley had never even heard of Syrah before 1992, when he first sipped a Syrah-Malbec blend and then, shortly thereafter, an Hermitage La Chapelle from Jaboulet that, he says, changed his life. After a cellar job at Fess Parker, followed by stints as assistant winemaker at Babcock Vineyards and then at Beckmen Vineyards, he started Tensley Wines in 1998, with just one hundred cases. Today, he produces 5,000 cases annually (still small, and he's intent on keeping it that way). As it turned out, he was about to ride a wave. Rhône varietals were just taking off in America, and he was one of the early pioneers of that movement. Indeed, the story of Syrah in America cannot properly be told without a chapter on Tensley, who is, today, widely acknowledged as one of the premier producers of the varietal in the country, and, perhaps, the world. Food and Wine ratified that assessment, in 2008, when it selected one of Tensley's wines as the "Top Syrah in America Over $20."
What to Pair Them With: A charred and juicy tomahawk steak; Texas-style brisket; grilled sausages; roasted duck or goose.
Fun Fact: Tensley decided on his career path when he was 12 and toured a wine cave as part of a trip his Bakersfield, Ca., soccer team took to France.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source directly from the estate, so rest assured: your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Order yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2024 (Dec. 21st - Mar. 20th, 2025). With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in GA, KS, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Thursday, September 26th, 2024.