After 16 years as winemaker for Australia's iconic Penfolds Grange, John Duval came to the Columbia Valley in 2003 as the "sequel" to his life's work with Syrah.
The Sequel Syrah has a dark, garnet color with enticing aromas of black fruits, sweet spice, fresh espresso and roasted meats. Expressive on the palate, this is a complex and layered wine with vibrant flavors of ripe figs, wild blackberries and a hint of olive tapenade that linger on the finish.
"Loads of black fruits, smoked game, liquid violets, and cracked pepper notes emerge from the 2018 Syrah Sequel, which has gorgeous Syrah wildness and gaminess, full-bodied richness, a pure, elegant, seamless texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. Count me impressed. You could safely put this up with the best Syrah coming out of Washington and California."
- James Dunnuck (May 2021), 97 pts
"Blueberry, wild blackberry, violet, peppercorn and charcoal on the nose. It’s full-bodied with firm, integrated tannins. Rich, inky and fleshy on the palate. Concentrated. Long, flavorful finish. Try after 2023."
- James Suckling (January 2023), 94 pts
"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. It's a touch unevolved and in need of a year or three of bottle age, but it's a beautiful wine that will evolve for a solid 8-10 years or more."
- James Dunnuck (April 2020), 93+ pts
"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"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (December 2020), 93 pts
"This has attractively exotic spices and dark berries, as well as plums and spiced dark chocolate. There’s concentrated flavor and a juicy feel to the palate, whch makes for engaging drinking now. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (July 2019), 93 pts
"A blend of 93% Syrah and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Sequel is another ripe, sexy, yet pure and balanced vintage for this cuvée. Lovely blackberry, smoked earth, graphite, and ground pepper all flow to a medium to full-bodied, silky, elegant wine that packs less of a punch than normal, yet is balanced and layered, with a great finish."
- James Dunnuck (2020), 93 pts
"Alluring nose combines black raspberry, minerals, black olive and bitter chocolate, along with meat and woodsmoke nuances. There's a compelling plushness to the concentrated flavors of blackberry, blueberry, cassis, violet and bitter chocolate. Finishes long, with notes of violet and red licorice and substantial tannins that dust the incisors. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2019), 92 pts
"The 2014 'Sequel' Syrah is a stunning release from Long Shadows. This gorgeous Syrah is made by eminent Aussie winemaker John Duval, the former winemaker on the Penfolds Grange project. The Syrah wine opens with dense aromatics of smoked brisket, white pepper, black olive and hints of mocha and blackberry jam. There are layered flavors of black cherry, mocha, anise, crème de cassis and blackberry cobbler. This is intense, extracted and remains balanced from start to finish. This is one the best Sequel wines I've tasted in the past ten years. (Best 2016-2027) - O.B."
- International Wine Report (September 2016), 95 pts
"Made by John Duval, the 2014 Syrah Sequel is a sexy beast of a Syrah (there’s a splash 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, smoke meats and licorice, it's a powerhouse on the palate and gives up full-bodied flavors, ripe, polished tannin and a great finish. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #231, June 2017), 94 pts
"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. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2016), 93 pts
"The 2013 Syrah Sequel 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."
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #225, June 2016), 91-93 pts
"Bright, dark ruby-red. Musky, high-toned, wonderfully expressive aromas of cassis, blueberry, black cherry, licorice, olive tapenade and meat. Pliant and sweet, boasting terrific spicy intensity to the flavors of black raspberry, blueberry and black olive. Finishes with resounding length and lift, and a powerful structure for aging. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Vinous (November 2015), 93+ pts
This has the excellent acidity to support the ripe, super-concentrated fruit. Dense raspberry, cherry compote, baking spices, cola and licorice all come into play, with a streak of dried tobacco adding further interest. Editors' Choice. —P.G.
Wine Enthusiast Buying Guide - November 2013
Long Shadows Vintners is a collection of elite Washington State wineries comprised of internationally acclaimed winemakers from major wine regions around the world. Founded by Washington wine pioneer Allen Shoup ...
Read More