Concannon
In 1883, James Concannon, an Irish immigrant, planted his first vineyards and built the winery, becoming one of the first producers to make Bordeaux-style wines in California. In 1961, Concannon made history again by being the first winery in the United States to introduce Petite Sirah to America. Today, Concannon continues to build its reputation on its flagship Petite Sirah bottling. Located in California’s Livermore Valley, the winery also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. In 1992, Concannon was purchased by Eric Wente of Wente Vineyards and a group of investors. However, the winery is still a family-run operation, with John Concannon at the helm as the 4th-generation vintner. For more information on the winery and the various wines that are available, be sure to check out our Concannon Wine Reviews.
Concannon 2001 Selected Vineyard Merlot
- Best Buy
- $12
This amazing value wine has many of the attributes of a far costlier Merlot. It’s ripe in plum, blackberry and dark chocolate fruit, with complex but fine tannins and a rich overlay of smoky oak. Hard to believe they can release it at this price.
— S.H.
(12/15/2004)
Concannon 2002 Selected Vineyard Petite Sirah
- Best Buy
- $12
Quintessential Pet, inky black, rich in thick, dusty tannins, absolutely dry, and bursting with blackberry, plum, dark chocolate and spicy, peppery flavors. Beautiful in its own way, and a super value.
— S.H.
(11/15/2004)
Concannon 2003 Reserve Petite Sirah (Livermore Valley)
- $24
This is one of those old-fashioned Pets that will last for many years. But it’s fully drinkable now because of the upfront blackberry, cherry and spicy plum fruit. If you do pop it, you’ll find a very dry wine with firm tannins and brisk acidity. If you like well-aged Petite Sirah, feel free to cellar until 2020.
— S.H.
(11/15/2006)
Concannon 2007 Reserve Chardonnay (Livermore Valley)
- $20
Oak and lees give rich, yeasty, butterscotchy complexities, and a creamy texture, to this fine young Chardonnay. Fortunately, the underlying varietal flavors are strong in pineapple, apple, honeydew and papaya. Only 500 cases were produced.
— S.H.
(7/1/2009)
Concannon 2006 Reserve Grenache (Monterey County)
- Online Exclusive
- $25
Grenache’s main duty is to deliver cherry flavors, and this one over-performs in that category. It just brims with black and red cherries in their essence. The wine is dry and silky, even more light-bodied than some Pinot Noirs, and quite delicious in its own way. Drink now with a grilled steak and rosemary potatoes.
— S.H.
(7/1/2009)
Concannon 2008 Selected Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
- Best Buy
- Online Exclusive
- $10
Bone dry and high in acidity, with lemon, lime and mineral flavors and hints of thyme and white pepper. Very nice and likeable, a sommelier’s wine for pairing with a wide variety of food at an inexpensive price.
— S.H.
(10/1/2009)
Concannon 2006 Captain Joe's Reserve Petite Sirah (Livermore Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $30
Dry, young and thick in fruit, this Petite Sirah offers massive flavors of blackberries, cherries, plums, leather, balsam, black pepper and smoke. It’s impressive for its sheer power, but would benefit from time in the cellar. Best 2011 and beyond.
— S.H.
(11/1/2009)
Concannon 2006 Reserve Petite Sirah (Livermore Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $38
Hard in tannins and acidic, this is a pretty unrelieved wine when it comes to palate enjoyment. It’s not offering much, but there is a big heart of blackberries and dark, ripe cherries, leading to speculations about ageability. Since this is Petite Sirah, it’s likely to gradually soften and mellow for at least ten years.
— S.H.
(10/1/2010)
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A big, strong Pinot with pure, focused flavors of raspberry cream…
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