Concannon Conservancy Crimson & Clover Livermore Valley – A Simple And Satisfying Blend

50% Petite Sirah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah and 10% Zinfandel from Livermore Valley, California.

SRP of $15 and available for as low as $10. Sample received courtesy the winemaker for review purposes.

From the bottle:

“Roots. Rocks. Intrigue. My Great-Grandfather, James Concannon began handcrafting outstanding wines in 1883. The majority of this velvety blend is Petite Sirah, a varietal that we were first to bottle over 50 years ago and one that thrives in the gravelly soil of the Livermore Valley. By placing vineyards into conservancy it ensures wines will continue to be crafted for future generations. We believe preservation of vineyard and agricultural lands protects our quality of life.

A vibrant red blend of signature Livermore Valley varietals, Crimson & Clover joins the Conservancy tier as a tribute to the enduring spirit that runs deep in the Irish roots of the Concannon family. Bold Cabernet Sauvignon and spicy Zinfandel support lush Petite Sirah, our flagship varietal, which lends a richness and depth to this complex blend. Pair with an Irish favorite, steak and mushroom pie with a rich butter crust.

13.7% Alcohol”

This wine was created as a tribute to the winemaker’s father, Jim Cannon, who was responsible for America’s first Petite Sirah. (The Clover part of the name comes from their Irish heritage and the Crimson refers to the color of the wine.) The Concannon Conservancy Petite Sirah has been one of my favorites for some time now and has been a staple on my Top 10 lists. Given that this wine is made up of 50% Petite Sirah I was curious to see how similar it would be. The answer? Not very — but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

The 2009 Concannon Conservancy Crimson & Clover Livermore Valley begins with really nice and fragrant aromas of plum, blackberry, clove, and leather. The wine tastes a bit thinner than I was expecting based on the 50% Petite Sirah but it has good fruit flavor, predominantly blackberry. There’s not much going on as far as tannins but the hints of leather on the nose carry over when tasting and add interest. The wine ends with a little kick of spice on the finish. Overall this is a good, relatively simple wine that is easy to drink and gives a much different experience than the Petite Sirah.

Other Recommended Buys from Concannon:
2008 Petite Sirah – My Favorite Petite Sirah
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon – Concannon Completes The Trifecta

Buy this wine online from our featured sponsor Marketview Liquor or see a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.

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