It has been a while since I’ve reviewed a Petite Sirah.  If fact, it’s been way too long and as I tasted this wine, I was reminded of how much I love Petite Sirah.  The rich flavors, deep color and silky feel are incredible.  And who better to revisit this variety with than Concannon.  After all, they were the first winery to varietally label Petite Sirah in the US back in 1961.

The name on this particular release from Concannon, “Conservancy,” is a nod to the efforts the winery has made to protect their vineyards from urban sprawl.  In 1996, Concannon was the first Livermore Valley vineyard to place its land into a permanent conservation easement.  Other vineyards have since followed suit to ensure that urbanization doesn’t threaten Livermore Valley as a wine producing region.

This wine has the inky, purple color with, blood red highlights at the edges, that make Petite Sirah fun to gaze into—for me, anyway.  Pronounced toasted oak and cherry aromas invitingly greet your nose to this wine.  It’s so toasted, that it’s almost smoky.  The alcohol aromas also come through a tiny bit harsh and that is my only complaint (and it’s really a minor complaint).  Robust black cherry flavors pop on the palate, followed by plum and chocolate covered strawberry in the mid-palate.  Silky tannins give a nice mouthfeel to the wine.  It finishes with crisp, acidic cherry and plum flavors.

This is a beautiful wine and an outstanding bargain at $15.

Wine: Concannon Conservancy Petite Sirah
Variety: Petite Sirah
Vintage: 2007
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rating: 87
Price Paid: $15.00

Find Concannon Conservancy Petite Sirah with Snooth

Disclosure: This wine was received as a sample.