On Wine: Concannon marks 125 years

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Sep 23, 2008 | by Laurie Daniel

I've tasted a couple of the larger-production Concannon wines in recent months, too, and they're good values. The 2007 Selected Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc ($11) is quite grassy and herbal, with citrusy fruit. The 2006 Selected Vineyards Merlot ($12) displays red cherry fruit with some savory, herbal undertones and medium tannins.

It's unclear whether any of the fourth or fifth generations of Concannons will get involved in the winery, but Jim Concannon has four-plus years left on his contract with the Wine Group, and he's excited about the future. As he wrote in "Concannon: The First One Hundred and Twenty-Five Years," published last year and available from the winery for $49.95: "I believe in each bottle of wine. If I didn't, I wouldn't be here. I have my heart in this business. I spend my days and weekends in stores and at tastings all over the country, signing bottles and talking to people about the wine and Concannon's history -- and enjoying every minute of it."

Contact Laurie Daniel at ladaniel@earthlink.net.