- 2022 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon The Dissident – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (7/28/2025)
Day 1: Sound like a broken record with the Dissident wines. Outstanding quality. Bold and powerful with dark cherry, blueberries, menthol, spice, dust, violets and smoke. Medium plus finish and concentrated. Excellent value. 93 points
Day 2: Excellent and this wine will age through 2030 easily as all of the Mark Ryan wines are built for aging. Dark fruits, spices, chocolate, menthol, dust, spice and a touch of smoke. Medium plus finish. Amazing under $40 wine that is better than half of Napa’s $100 wines. 93 points
Recommendation: The best value in the Mark Ryan lineup and back up the truck.
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot.
79% new French oak, 21% used French oak. 18 months in barrel. (93 points)
- 2021 L’Ecole No. 41 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (7/27/2025)
Day 1: Natural cork. Third time sampling this wine and excellent value. Would cost $85 in Napa. Cherry, spice, floral, chocolate, mild oak and red currants. Very smooth offering and drinking well young. 92 points
Day 2: A little bit better but not quite 93. Cherry, plum, spice, minerals, wood, chocolate, rose petals and earth. Medium plus finish. 92.5 points
Day 3: Again just not quite 93 points but a really solid value. I prefer this significantly more than the Columbia Valley version.
Recommendation: Look on auctions as sometimes $25 less than the winery. (92 points)
Love Washington State Wines.
Great wines sir. Thanks for sharing.