2006 Concannon Syrah
Usually when I talk about Livermore’s Concannon Vineyard, I’m talking about Petite Sirah, but not today. As far as I am aware, there is nothing related about the Syrah and the Petite Sirah grapes except for very similar names. While Concannon shines with their Petite Sirahs, this 2006 Syrah from them is not so easy to outright laud, but it’s still an interesting find.
On the nose is very little in the way of fruit notes, all I got here is oak, wood, and smoke. I actually have here in my notes, “fireplace,” and while I don’t think it smelled burned, there’s an appropriateness to that word. Perhaps it should have been simply “fire.” The fruit appears on the palate, in the form of a nice mix of black and red fruit notes (some blackberry and sour cherry), and the oakiness is still there.
Some wine writers have made hay with certain wines about “giving [them] splinters,” and if you have that kind of reaction to really oaky wines, this one’s probably not for you. But there is a warmth and spiciness about this Syrah that I still found myself drawn to. It’d be one hell of a wine at a cookout, that’s for sure.
I think I should point out the QPR here… for $8-$10, this wine hits a pretty nice QPR note overall, but you still have to be down with its oaky smokiness.
Verdict: B-
2006 Concannon Nina’s Cuvee Petite Sirah
Just recently, I reviewed this wine’s brother, the Captain Joe. This is a different spin on Petite Sirah from Concannon Vineyard, and while the Joe is more my speed, others might really prefer this one.
Unlike the Joe, the Nina does not have the influence of 20% Syrah grapes. The blend is, according to the bottle, made “primarily” of the Petite Sirah grapes that grew in “Nina’s Vineyard” (named after Nina Concannon, the current winemaker’s grandmother).
The nose on this wine is pleasant, but for me, didn’t have the big fruit notes I was told to expect. Instead I got earth and wet stone, a pleasant “after a recent rain” smell that was fresh and clean, but also hearty and earthy, and a bit sweet.
Black fruit notes come through on the palate, as do some very nice white pepper and clove. It’s quite different from the Captain Joe, but another very nice example of the variety from the winery that pioneered the making of Petite Sirah wine in America a half-century ago.
Verdict: B
2006 Tamas Sangiovese Riserva
My very first Sangiovese was just three and a half months ago, so I’m by no means a Sangiovese expert. But the red Italian grape is one I am growing very quickly fond of.
Well, back up a sec. My first Sangiovese labelled as “Sangiovese” was 3.5 months ago. I’ve had Chianti for years. But I digress.
That Sangiovese last October was from Tamas Estates in the Livermore Valley. So’s this one. But they took extra special care with their Sangiovese Riserva, and the wines are very, very different indeed.
On the nose are some light spice notes that initially made think of Zinfandel, but then, quickly, sweet red fruit that is all Sangiovese. The wine is medium-bodied with a creamy, yet light, jamminess. Notes of raspberries and sweet cherries are here and very nice, but I never felt this wine was too sweet, or overly fruit-forward. I don’t tend to care for too sweet wines, or juicy juice boxes (like Tamas’ 2007 Zinfandel Riserva), and this was neither.
I’d say that in general, Tamas Estates is doing Italian wine right, right here in the Livermore Valley. And that goes double for their Sangiovese Riserva.
Verdict: A-