Sequel
(Long Shadows) Syrah 2014
(Columbia Valley, Washington) - [WA 94] [VM 93]

Vineyards:
The 2014 Sequel is a blend of four distinct Syrah vineyards. In a warm vintage like
2014, Yakima Valley’s Boushey Vineyard Syrah (40%) is a cooler site that gives the wine its lively, elegant character. Bacchus Vineyard Syrah, grown on a south-facing block planted in 1993, adds dark color and richness. A Shiraz clone from The Benches Vineyard planted at John Duval’s request in 2004, along with a small amount of Candy Mountain Vineyard Syrah, contribute power and concentration. Dionysus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon gives the wine its backbone.

Winemaking:
Syrah’s delicate skin requires gentle handling during fermentation to extract
richness without imparting bitter tannins, so winemaker John Duval uses a variety of techniques to produce a wide spectrum of flavors. A portion of the grapes were fermented using an Australian method known as “rack and return” that requires draining the tank twice daily and gently putting the juice back over the top of the skins. Whole-cluster fermentation was also used to enhance richness and dimension on the palate. Lastly, some of the lots underwent submerged cap fermentation to add structure and enhance the mouthfeel of the finished wine. Aged 18 months in 100% French oak barrels, 65% new.

Technical Information:
Alcohol: 14.8%
pH: 3.88
TA: 0.62 grams / 100ml
Blend: 95% Syrah; 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Production: 1,663 cases

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Made by John Duval, the 2014 Syrah Sequel is a sexy beast of a Syrah (there’s a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend) that was brought up all in small barrels. Deep, inky colored, with a huge nose of black fruits, chocolate, smoke meats and licorice, it's a powerhouse on the palate and gives up full-bodied flavors, ripe, polished tannin and a great finish. It's going to be at its best from 2019-2024+" - Jeb Dunnuck (June 2017)

93 Points - Vinous Media:
"Bright ruby-red. Musky scents of black raspberry, flowers and smoky resiny herbs. Wonderfully sweet, fat, smooth wine with terrific depth to its raspberry and spice flavors lifted by pomegranate and herbs and complicated by leather and animal nuances. (I was reminded of a Cornas from Thierry Allemand.) Not at all austere for this bottling--in fact, this is harmonious from the start. The tannins arrive late and are nicely wrapped in the wine's glyceral fruit. This highly concentrated Syrah has very good aging potential. (Drink between 2019-2026)" - Stephen Tanzer (Oct 2018)