2017 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.

Budbreak was later than usual in 2017 due to a cool, wet spring, but temperatures warmed nicely for bloom. Conditions moderated in early summer before warming again in July to drive total heat accumulation a bit above average for the season. Harvest began towards the end of August, then temperatures cooled considerably in mid-September to extend hang time and allow the grapes to reach full physiological maturity without spiking sugars. The resulting wines are rich and expressive, displaying excellent acidity and structure that is reflective of the quality of the vintage.

Hand-harvested grapes underwent a variety of fermentation techniques to produce a wide spectrum of flavors. One-third of the Syrah was whole-cluster fermented to boost viscosity. Several lots underwent an Australian technique known as “rack and return” that requires draining the tank twice daily and gently putting the juice back over the top of the skins to extract color, soft tannins and aromatics without imparting harsh tannins. Finally, a small portion of the grapes underwent submerged cap fermentation to enhance structure and mouthfeel. The finished wine was aged 18 months in all French oak barrels, 60% new.