2013 Sequel Syrah - 1.5L
John Duval, formerly of Australia's iconic Penfolds Grange, chose the Columbia Valley as his "Sequel" for the continuation of his life's work with Syrah.
The 2013 growing season started with an early bud break followed by consistent dry, warm weather that lasted until rainfall moved across the Columbia Valley in mid-June. The precipitation allowed the vines to establish a solid canopy that proved useful when temperatures reached 100 degrees immediately following the rains. With a protective exterior canopy, we were able to open the interior canopy to allow uniform ripening in the fruit zone, and as temperatures cooled in September, the extended hang time allowed grape flavors to fully mature.
The 2013 Sequel is a classic Washington Syrah, dark garnet in color with lively, colorful aromas and expressive tapenade, cassis and cinnamon flavors that dance gracefully across the palate. Rich and supple in texture, this is a layered, complex wine with a concentrated finish that lasts.
93 POINTS - STEPHEN TANZER
| Download Wine Notes |
| Vintage | 2013 |
| Varietal | Syrah |
| Varietal Composition | 92% Syrah
8% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Appellation | Columbia Valley |
| Acid | 0.46g/100 ml |
| PH | 3.88 |
| Alcohol | 14.80% |
| Wine Style | Red Wine |
| Volume | 1.5 liter |
2013 SEQUEL - 93 POINTS
"Highly aromatic nose offers scents of raspberry, cinnamon, white pepper and olive tapenade. In a juicy, spicy, rather penetrating style; clean and fruit-driven, with a spicy mineral underpinning. Boasts excellent density to its purple fruit flavors and carries impressively on the finish."
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2013 SEQUEL - 91-93 POINTS
"The 2013 Sequel Syrah gives up a big, rich, decadent style as well as lots of ripe black fruits, caramelized meats, licorice and wood-smoke like aromas and flavors. In a vintage that too often comes up short on texture and richness, this beauty delivers in spades. It should drink nicely right out of the gate."
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Two of the Columbia Valley’s best Syrah vineyards are the predominate source of this delicious blend. Bacchus Vineyard Syrah, grown on a south-facing block planted in 1993, gives Sequel its dark color, concentration and viscous mouth feel. Yakima Valley’s Boushey Vineyard Syrah adds bright fruit and an elegant character to the wine, and a small percentage of Dionysus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon enhances the wine’s complexity and structure.
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.
