“A real rarity from this producer…” – Decanter

100% the truth. These pages have never seen a Spring Mountain Cab go under $30. With 94 POINTS too?!

$29 though? Yowza.

The lowest we’d ever seen on a Spring Mountain Cab was a Juslyn or a Robert Craig in the upper $70s. Others were crazy good deals at $100.

And it’s Concannon. One of the oldest wineries in California planting their roots in 1883 in the historic Livermore Valley. The same valley where legends like Charles Wetmore and The Wente family also planted their roots. 

Which reminds us. Did you grab the Concannon Petite Sirah Duo last month? Or did you hesitate on the 2-pack because you lean toward a certain PS style? They’re back today, à la carte, here in the Store! Because Petite Sirah is what Concannon is famous for having bottled America’s first 100% Petite Sirah in 1961 by third generation winemaker Jim Concannon. Yeah, they’re that old.

Fun fact: Concannon is one of the oldest continuously operated wineries in America as they were ordained by the Catholic Church to make sacramental wine through prohibition. Not a single harvest has been missed. Take that! While everyone else had to only make wine for personal consumption the Concannon’s production line was in full motion.

Still, they deliver a mighty Cabernet too. It’s called the Mother Vine, from vines planted in 1893 to the famous Concannon Clones 7, 8, and 11. Those clones now make up roughly 80% of all Cali Cabs!

That also brings us from ground-zero Livermore Valley to Napa Valley’s Spring Mountain District. This elegant mountain Cab is drinking beautifully. Fabulous blackcurrants, tobacco, graphite, and cedarwood-like nuances that develop with time in the glass. They carry into a full-bodied, concentrated 2019 that’s youthfully ruby. Velvety, silky-smooth integrated tannins. Terrific mid-palate depth, and a great finish with complexity to spare.

The winery stays secretive about the vineyard they source this beauty from. But a little spy work puts the crosshairs on Spring Mountain Vineyard or Keenan. Or both. All they’ll call it is an “elite, independent grower partner.” We did hear the vineyard is “from the Miravalle ridge area,” which points to the former. Though a research article claims Keenan planted 95% of its vineyards to Concannon’s famous Clone 7. Guesses aside, only a handful of growers up there have historic ties to Concannon. No matter who, this throwback-styled beauty is undeniably delicious.

The Tasting Panel sums it up: “What’s amazing is that Concannon Vineyard still grows and produces Cabernet in its consistently well-balanced, restrained, food-friendly style, emphasizing fruit and sense of place, rather than massive, ultra-ripe varietal character. The fact is, more and more consumers are coming back to the Concannon style, which the winery executes impeccably. After all, Concannon has had well over 130 years to perfect it. The proof is in the bottle.”

Speaking of bottles, this unicorn is highly limited.

94 Points – Decanter “This Concannon Spring Mountain Vineyard, a real rarity from this producer, is an easy-drinking, lighter-footed Cabernet from Spring Mountain with fine-grained tannins, a mix of red and black berry fruit, expressive baking spice notes, and a lengthy mineral-driven finish. Enjoy this all year long. Drink 2026-2034.”