Joey Tensley 'Fundamental White' 2021

A fresh, fruity wine with crisp citrusy aromas and richer notes of honey and brioche. Certainly a lovely afternoon aperitif, but just perfect with roast pork and peaches.

Press Reviews:

93pts - Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate (December 2022): "The 2021 Fundamental White is loaded with fresh red and green apple, lemon peel, beeswax and jasmine aromas. The palate is light-bodied, rounded and wonderfully refreshing with a long, floral finish. This drinks wonderfully on its own but will be great for the table. Drink 2022 - 2027"

90pts - Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (August 2022): "The 2021 White Wine (50% Viognier, 25% Grenache Blanc, and the rest Marsanne and Roussanne) sports a medium gold hue to go with a ripe, opulent nose of caramelized peach, honeyed flowers, toasted brioche, and marmalade. It brings lots of fruit and texture, stays lively and balanced, with good freshness, and is going to shine on the dinner table with richer cuisine.

These Fundamental Wines are made by Joey Tensley and focus on value. Based on this tasting, I’d say he succeeds admirably."

Joey Tensley discovered wine at the age of 12 during a soccer trip to Bordeaux. He started making wine in 1993 at the age of 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 sulphur. In 2016 he was able to purchase 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 recognised 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.