2016 Joey Tensley Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast 750 ml

Exciting New Cabernet from Maestro of Syrah

Why did Wine Access get the honor of being first to market with the inaugural Joey Tensley 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast? When Tensley, whose wines “represent some of the most intense expressions of Rhône varieties” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, decided earlier this year to bring his golden touch to classic Bordeaux varieties like this California Cabernet — we got the call. And after seeing how Wine Access clients jumped on the chance to stock their cellars, trusting us to launch his fruit-forward and aromatic Cabernet was a no-brainer. Tensley’s midas touch with Rhône varieties has earned him several Wine Spectator Top 20 placements, has had one named a “Top Syrah in America over $20” by Food & Wine, and flirted with perfection, earning 99-point scores from Robert Parker and Parker’s Rhone protégé Jeb Dunnuck. Tensley’s knack for voluptuous and layered wines translates beautifully to this over-delivering Cabernet from the Central Coast’s fantastic 2016 vintage.

A trip throughout the world’s wine regions with his wife Jennifer inspired Joey Tensley to embark on a new mission: to shed the exclusivity of the “high-end, super-duper wines” that have been lauded by kingmakers Robert Parker and Jeb Dunnuck, while maintaining their same quality. This sent Tensley away from his go-to vineyards to source fruit.

But he didn’t go far, as he found what he was looking for in hillside vineyards of the sub-AVAs of Ballard and Happy Canyon, which are gaining fame as the warm-climate-varietal hotbeds of Santa Barbara. The rest of the fruit comes from Paso Robles, long known for richness and density, and which has been touted by Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate as the next region for quality Cabernet Sauvignon in California. Be vigilant, and don’t delay: Tensley is a Wine Access favorite, and his overachieving Cabernet will fly into cellars by the case.