2022 Tensley Fundamental Pinot Noir Central Coast 750 ml

Joey Tensley’s wines are an obsession at Wine Access. 

His blockbuster reds absolutely crush the member-ratings because of off-the-charts quality and rock-steady consistency—and his 2022 Fundamental Pinot Noir is one of the most staggering California Pinot Noir values out there.

Sourced from Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Maria, and Monterey, this wine earned 91 points from the tough-to-please Wine Advocate. No mystery why the Fundamental Pinot has earned some big-time raves from our members: “A steal for the price,” and “at its price point, a superstar.”

Joey’s a longtime friend of ours, and his home is located in between the cooler regions of Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria—a perfect position to take advantage of stellar Pinot Noir grapes from these AVAs. 

Santa Maria’s the spot that he says “brings that California nuance” to this deep, red-fruited Pinot, while he attributes its savoriness to the Sta. Rita Hills and Monterey County grapes. It all shines through brilliantly, largely due to his choice to age the 2022 Fundamental in 100% neutral barrels. 

In his two decades on the Central Coast, Tensley has earned access to prime vineyard sources that enable him to produce stunningly high-quality wines at fantastic prices. In addition to the “super-duper” wines—so dubbed by Robert Parker—under the “Tensley” label, Joey wanted to make sure his fans knew that when they bought his value-driven Fundamental wines they were getting bona-fide Tensley bottlings. “I put my name on my second label,” he told us. “I’m proud of it.”

The 2021 Fundamental Pinot Noir overdelivers beyond belief, and it adds to the growing roster of wines Joey’s earned the right to be proud of.