Sequel Syrah 2018 – 750ml Breakthru

98pts International Wine Report

Editors’ Choice

This stunning Syrah is beautiful on the nose with those unique Washington characteristics of smoked meat, boysenberry, black cracked pepper, saline, iron, and bacon fat. You must experience the nose on this wine, it is so intoxicating. Inky and dark purple in the glass, it pops with flavors of blackberry compote, charcuterie, and black olive tapenade. The tannins are still a bit chalky but the high acidity complements it nicely. The long finish is both earthy, meaty, and fruity all at the same time – the best combination. At $60 – are you kidding me? Highly recommended and definitely the best Sequel I have tasted from Long Shadows and one of the best Syrah’s I’ve had in 2018. Highly recommended and Editors’ Choice.

97pts Jeb Dunnuck

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.

95pts Vinous

The 2018 Sequel Syrah is one of the greatest editions of this wine that I have tasted. The downright soft texture entices as toasty oak wraps around a gorgeous core of crème de violette, mocha, allspice, bull’s blood and shades of creosote on the palate. This finishes exceedingly long. A dense and refined Syrah that is only starting to fully hit its stride.

94pts James Suckling

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.

Winemaker Notes

An expressive wine showing wonderful varietal character. Dark and inky in color with layered aromas and flavors of wild blackberries, crushed rock, currants, charcuterie and oak spice. Sporting a rich mid-palate with appealing viscosity, the wine’s balanced acidity creates a vibrant impression that carries throughout a lovely, violet-imbued finish.

Winery Notes

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.

A generous and concentrated wine of great character, Sequel is notable for its deep purple hue, rich aromatics and layers of flavor. Almond, dark chocolate and cherry notes fill the glass, complimented by hints of black licorice, blackberry, cocoa powder and a touch of smoke.

Sequel is one of six distinct red wines from Long Shadows Vintners – a collection of ultra-premium wines, each built on the unique expertise of some of the world’s most knowledgeable winemakers to showcase the quality and caliber of Washington State’s Columbia Valley.