Sequel Syrah 2006

Professional Ratings

• 93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The 2006 Sequel is made by John Duval, former winemaker of Penfolds Grange. The wine is 96% Syrah and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 18 months in 65% new French oak. Aromas of cedar, smoke, game, bacon, and violets are alluring while leading to a round, layered, smooth-textured, full-bodied wine with several years of aging potential. This hedonistic effort will be at its best from 2013 to 2021.
• 92 Wine Spectator
  Bright and generous, delivering a lively mouthful of blackberry and plum fruit, shaded with hints of pepper and spice, lingering nicely on the beautifully focused finish. This has depth without excess weight, along with the goods to develop long term in the cellar. Drink now through 2014. 2,012 cases made.
• 91 Wine & Spirits
  Black as ink at first, this powerful wine leads with scents of blueberries and chocolate cake, and a hint of air-dried beef. The black fig flavors are posh and juicy, with a dense texture and a finish that hints at mocha and juniper. A ripe style for barbecue.
• 90 Wine Enthusiast
  Ripe berries, loaded with spice, concentrate the flavors of this exceptionally smooth, big-bodied Syrah. As is the custom with Sequel, the grapes are a blend of many vineyards and AVAs, which certainly enhances the polished mouthfeel, but at the expense of specificity. The acids stick out a little bit, but are soon covered in loads of chocolate and butterscotch barrel flavors. Drink soon.
• 90 Connoisseurs' Guide
  Although well-ripened and seasoned with a fair bit of varietal spice, this bottling steps away from the brawny Syrah norm and suggests red berries more than black. It is a comparatively tight wine built in an almost elegant, ever so slightly leaner style, and its tailored tannins never threaten to push its fine fruit from the stage. It finishes with firm, fruity acidity providing a nice lift in brightness, and all the pieces seem in place for several years of steady improvement.