Sequel Non Vintage

2017 2017 Sequel

$60.00 / Bottle Purchase
  • Winemaker John Duval
  • Appellation Columbia Valley
  • Varietal Syrah

After 16 years as winemaker of Australia's iconic Penfolds Grange, John Duval came to the Columbia Valley in 2003 as the "Sequel" to his life's work with Syrah.

Tasting Notes:

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Deep and inky in color, the 2017 Sequel Syrah offers inviting aromas and flavors of fresh blueberry, violet and a hint of cassis. Black olive tapenade and savory spice persist across the mid-palate. Multi-layered and well structured, the wine’s refined texture and enticing viscosity lead to long, impressive finish.

93+ Points

"Put together by John Duval, the 2017 Sequel (100% Syrah fermented with 30% stems) is a ripe, sexy wine that's in the same ballpark as past vintages. Rocking notes of blackcurrants, blackberries, peppered game, licorice, and subtle chocolate all flow to a powerful, full-bodied Syrah that has good purity of fruit, ripe, chewy tannins, a bid mid-palate, and a great finish."

— Jeb Dunnuck
93 Points

An instant success, the 2017 Syrah Sequel bounces out of the glass with precision, power and finesse with juicy blackberry reduction and black pepper spices woven into black cherry essence and plum preserves, with hints of dried herbs, baked earth and river rock. Full-bodied, the mouth-coating sensation from this generous fruit tones shows a beautifully balanced Syrah with succulent tones of black and red fruit, black pepper and purple flowers. The wine ends with lifting tannins on the long, immaculate, slightly chewy finish. This is food-friendly and overdelivering at this price. Bravo!

— Wine Advocate
93 Points

Musky perfume of dark raspberry, black olive, bitter chocolate and brown spices, plus a subtle hint of animal fur. Silky and seamless on entry, then as much red fruits as black in the sweet middle palate, with floral and spice notes adding clarity and lift. This wine will give pleasure early but also last well.

— Stephen Tanzer
94 Points

An impressive effort for this 100% Syrah from winemaker John Duval, from the iconic Penfolds Grange fame, the Sequel is his Washington next chapter of winemaking with Syrah but in Washington State. The wine is fermented with ⅓ whole cluster to give a fuller body and is finished by aging 18 months in French oak barrels, with 60% of them being new. It is dark and showy in the glass and aromas of fresh blue fruits, black raspberry, peppered salami and violet flowers form this phenomenal nose. On the palate, you are treated with flavors of blueberry compote, black plum, cigar box, crushed gravel, toasted black peppercorn, black Spanish olive, dried lavender and venison jerky. This wine is complex, gorgeous and absolutely yummy. Highly recommended.

— International Wine Review
Varietal Composition 100% Syrah
Acid 0.55 grams/100ml
PH 3.88
Alcohol 14.9%

Vineyards

The 2017 Sequel is a blend of diverse vineyards that contribute distinct characteristics to the finished wine. Yakima Valley’s Boushey Vineyard, notable for its bright, elegant character, comprises one-third of the blend, as does Bacchus Vineyard. Grown on a south-facing block planted in 1993, Bacchus Syrah adds black fruit character and richness. Red Mountain Syrah gives the wine its structure and backbone. Finally, a small amount of Shiraz clone grapes from Sonnet Vineyard at The Benches contribute dark cassis aromas and flavors.

Explore Past Sequel Vintages in The Library →