CONCANNON WINES

Some new releases from Concannon Vineyards have hit the shelves...

GLEN ELLEN PROPRIETOR'S RESERVE CHARDONNAY - 2009

13% alcohol. $10 for 1.5L

TASTING NOTES:

Oak, vanilla, butterscotch. Smooth, light, with sour apple on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

84 PTS

For an inexpensive white wine, there's no denying that this is tasty and approachable. There's very little fruit and it comes across more like an alcoholic beverage than a wine. An easy drinker crowd pleasing white.

GLEN ELLEN PROPRIETOR'S RESERVE PETITE SIRAH - 2007

13.5% alcohol. $10 for 1.5L.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark color. Light. Flat. Approachable and smooth but watered down blackberry, black currants and black tea on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

81 PTS

Not much to say about this effort. I don't think this wine competes in its category. There are box wines that are superior.

CONCANNON CONSERVANCY MERLOT - 2007

13.5 alcohol. 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Livermore Valley. Retails for $15.

TASTING NOTES:

Nice oaky, black cherry nose. Medium-bodied dark cherry notes. Opens up considerably on day two, but cherry cough syrup and alcohol are barking loudly on first pour. Some mocha and oak on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

83 PTS

A serviceable red table wine, but expensive given what this delivers. You can find better Merlot options from numerous countries.

CONCANNON CONSERVANCY CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 2007

13.5% alcohol. 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Syrah. Retails for $15.

TASTING NOTES:

Big. Heavy and full-bodied. Black currant, licorice, oak and black cherry. Still some considerable alcohol showing through on both the nose and palate.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

83 PTS

Another OK effort, but at this price you can find some really inspiring wine out there. Hard to recommend.