The 2007 Sequel was made by Australian John Duval. It is made up of 98% Syrah and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 18 months in 65% new French oak and 5% 300-liter American oak “hogsheads”. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it emits an expressive bouquet of smoked meat, bacon, lavender, sage, blueberry, and plum. On the palate it is plush and layered suggesting readiness for near-term drinking. However, there is ample underlying structure for those wanting to wait for a more aged character. This lengthy effort should provide pleasure through 2022. Long Shadows and its seven labels, each with its own star winemaker, is just the beginning of Alan Shoup’s visionary project. He has purchased controlling interest in the Wallulla Vineyard from the Den Hoed brothers who developed it and who will continue to manage this huge project on the cliffs overlooking the Columbia River. Shoup has renamed it The Benches. It must be seen to be believed, encompassing 20 miles of road carved through the development. Shoup’s plan is to have each Long Shadow label have its own cave built into the landscape. Some fruit from the Benches is already being incorporated into some of the Long Shadows wines. Armin Diel is the winemaker/partner in the Poet’s Leap label. The Saggi label is produced by Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari. Tel. (509) 526-0905; www.longshadows.com

Pungent and spicy, dark and brooding, this wine brings it with deep, sappy berry fruit and overtones of meat and garrigue, all with muscle and verve. Tannins are firm and hard, showing some ripe stem and earth flavors, and plenty of barrel toast. Muscular and warm, this Syrah walks the line perfectly between the Rhone and Barossa.——P.G.(12/31/2010)—— 93