2014 Sequel Syrah
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 2014 growing season got underway early with a warm, dry spring that set the stage for another hot vintage. Consistently warm temperatures throughout the summer resulted in an early start to harvest as well, but the Columbia Valley’s trademark balmy fall days and cool autumn nights allowed the grapes to reach full physiological maturity while preserving the fruits’ natural acidity to yield high quality grapes across the board. In short, a picture-perfect growing season that produced remarkably rich, flavorful wines.
An intensely flavored and colored wine, with a range of aromatic spices including nutmeg and cardamom. Rich in texture, the 2014 Sequel is packed with vibrant blackberry and cherry flavors that combine with delicious hints of roasted meats and black olive tapenade. A rich, seamless beauty with a vibrant, lively finish.
94 POINTS - WINE ADVOCATE
| Download Wine Notes |
| Vintage | 2014 |
| Varietal | Syrah |
| Varietal Composition | 95% Syrah
5% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Appellation | Columbia Valley |
| Acid | .62 grams / 100 ml |
| PH | 3.88 |
| Alcohol | 14.80% |
| Wine Style | Red Wine |
| Volume | 750 ml |
2014 SEQUEL - 93 POINTS
"The 2014 Sequel is a sexy beast of a Syrah (there's a spalsh 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, smoked meats and licorice, it's a powerhouse on the palate and gives up full-bodied flavors, ripe, polished tannin and a great finish."
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2014 SEQUEL - 93 POINTS
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"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 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."
2014 SEQUEL - 91 POINTS
"Very primary aromas of smoke, toast, char and cherry are followed by sumptuous fruit and barrel flavors."
The 2014 Sequel is a blend of four distinct Syrah vineyards. In a warmer 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.
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.
