2004 Sequel Syrah

2004 SEQUEL - 93 POINTS "Polish and precision are the hallmarks of this extremely engaging effort, and, in both nose and mouth, its slightly juicy, youthfully bright, blackberryish fruit sets the pace and is matched step for step by hints of rich earth and spice. Full on the palate and solid in construction, it is long and complete from front to back and sports a spice of supportive tannins that will make it a stunning mate to beef roasts now or later.

 

2004 SEQUEL - 93 POINTS "Scented, complex aromas and flavors of dried cranberry, plum, game, chocolate, wild spices and herbs and sexy coconutty oak. A very sophisticated syrah; some of Washington's home-grown winemakers might learn something from this baby."

 

2004 SEQUEL - 92 POINTS "Made in a consistent style, this already delivers lush berry, plum, cherry and currant fruit, wrapped in generous new oak."

 

2004 SEQUEL - 92 POINTS "Smooth and velvety, this is a graceful, beautifully balanced Syrah that shows off its blueberry and plum fruit against shades of white pepper and cedar. The finish keeps welling up with haunting flavors.

 

2004 SEQUEL – 93 POINTS "Purple / black in color, this superb Syrah offers grilled meat, bacon fat, game and wild blueberry aromas and flavors. On the palate the wine is spicy, layered, and plush with soft tannins and enough acidity to hold things together."

The Columbia Valley is a diverse growing region so working with a varied selection of top Syrah vineyards gives Sequel complexity and layers. Yakima Valley’s Boushey Vineyard (35%) gives the wine its elegance and balance; Alder Ridge (24%) and The Benches (formerly known as Wallula Vineyard) (7%) in the Horse Heaven Hills combines with Red Mountain vineyards (32%) to add black fruit and richness. A small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon from Sagemoor’s Dionysus Vineyard on a southwest facing slope in Pasco adds complexity and more layers.

 
Few winemakers are as synonymous with the iconic wines of a country as John Duval, best known for his work with Penfolds Grange, the gold standard for Australian Shiraz.
 
John joined Penfolds winery in 1974 after completing his studies in agriculture and winemaking. In 1986 John was appointed Chief Winemaker, following the winemaking greats Max Schubert and Don Ditter.

The Duval Family had for many years run a world famous Suffolk sheep stud and also ran quality vineyards, at Morphett Vale south of Adelaide, coincidently supplying Shiraz grapes and vine cuttings to Penfolds.

During his time as Chief Winemaker, John oversaw a dynamic period of development. The many awards and accolades for its wines helped establish Penfolds as one of the world's great wine brands.

While his honors and awards are too numerous to list, some of the highlights include the Robert Mondavi Trophy for Winemaker of the Year in 1989 at the International Wine & Spirits Competition in London; two-time recipient of the Red Winemaker of the Year award at the International Wine Challenge in London, first in 1991 and then again in 2000; and Wine Spectator’s “Wine of the Year” award in 1995 for the 1990 vintage of Penfolds Grange.
 
After 28 years, John stepped down from the company in 2002 to establish John Duval Wines, debuting with the 2003 vintage of Plexus SGM. John now makes four wines under his John Duval Wines label, a white; 'Plexus White' (Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier), and three reds; 'Plexus Red' (Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvedre), 'Entity' (Shiraz) and 'Eligo' (Shiraz).

In addition to making his own wine, John also has a joint venture project with Ventisquero in the Apalta Valley, Chile and in 2003 John traveled to the Columbia Valley at the invitation of Long Shadows Vintners' founder Allen Shoup to make his first U.S. wine, Sequel, a name chose in recognition of his life's work with Syrah.
 
Never one to be far from great Shiraz, he currently resides in the Barossa Valley, home to some of Australia’s oldest vines.

2015 2007 2004