What an amazing experience and 2nd year in a row getting to taste through the current releases. The wines show well young but will evolve nicely over time. Big shout out to Sabina pouring and sharing information about each wine.
CellarTracker! Mark Ryan Tasting
White & Rose
Nice starter wines and always hard to find a rose that is 90 or higher from Washington but this was solid.
- 2021 Mark Ryan Viognier Yakima Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
From Olsen and Red Willow Vineyards. Stone, floral, spice, lemon and grassy note. Clean and refreshing wine. (90 pts.) - 2024 Mark Ryan Rosé – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
One of the better Washington Rose’s I have had in a while. 81% Grenache, 10% Syrah & 9% Mourvèdre. Watermelon, spice, floral and raspberries. Clean and refreshing. Short finish. (88 pts.)
Pinot Noir
Mark’s wife wanted Pinot Noir in the portfolio so her wish came try and go to Oregon of course.
- 2022 Mark Ryan Pinot Noir Megan Anne – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
Light in nature with minerals, strawberries, floral and mild spice. Short to medium finish. (90 pts.) - 2021 Mark Ryan Pinot Noir Black Love – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Strawberries, minerals, floral, earth, spice, raspberries and forest floor. Medium plus finish. Very nice. (93 pts.)
Syrah & Mourvedre
I find the Syrah’s in this case need some serious time with the new oak but just had the 22 and 21 Wild Eyed which I enjoyed more on this trip.
- 2023 Mark Ryan Syrah Wild Eyed Red Mountain – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Sourced from Quintessence & Angela’s vineyards. New oak and big style. Oak is dominating the wine right now. Dust, cherry, dark chocolate and spices. Needs about 4 plus years to settle down. 90-92 points. (90 pts.) - 2022 Mark Ryan Syrah Lost Soul Red Willow Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
Drinking well now but I see room to improve with some age. 30 months in new French oak. Oak, dark fruits, dark chocolate, spice, floral, black pepper and rose petals. Long finish. Do a heavy decant if trying now or better yet 3 day review. (92 pts.) - 2022 Mark Ryan Mourvèdre Crazy Mary – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Smoke, spice, floral, dust, earth, tar, strawberries and cherry. Quite complex offering and medium plus finish. (93 pts.)
Merlot
Wonderful showing of both. Mark makes some of the better Merlot offerings in the state.
- 2022 Mark Ryan Long Haul – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
70% Merlot, 21% Cabernet, 8% Cabernet Franc & 1% Petit Verdot. Excellent showing with cherry, smoke, dark chocolate, minerals, dried rose petals, dust and plum. Flavorful and drinking well now but easily decade. (94 pts.) - 2020 Mark Ryan Merlot Little Sister – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
98% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Another great showing on this and had it last month and showing well again. Cigar, red currants, floral, earth, plum and subtle wood. Complex and long finish. Excellent stuff. (94 pts.)
Cabernet Flight
Great to try the first five side by side in this tasting. All showed well and wine of the night for me was the Lonely Heart.
- 2023 Mark Ryan The Dissident – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Another great vintage on this wine and really one of the best under $40 Cab Blends out there. Red currants, dust, floral, earth, plum and subtle wood. Medium plus finish. (93 pts.) - 2022 Mark Ryan Water Witch Red Mountain – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Dry with cherry, plum, coffee beans, oak, blueberries and dust. Buttery note on the finish. Long term ager for sure. 94-96. (94 pts.) - 2022 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Dead Horse – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Not to beat a dead horse but Mark Ryan makes amazing wines. Dust, earth, gravel, plum, cherry, wood and cigar. Medium plus finish and complex wine. (93 pts.) - 2022 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Cherry, dust, earth, cigar, floral and wood. Medium plus finish. Age for 5 plus. (94 pts.) - 2022 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Lonely Heart – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Spice, floral, cherry, oak, plum, dark chocolate and cigar box. Medium plus finish. Long term ager and my favorite at the tasting today. 95+ (95 pts.) - 2022 Mark Ryan Monkey Wrench – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
65% Cabernet, 27% Merlot, 5% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. Oak, vanilla, spice, dust, red currants and cherry. Medium finish. (92 pts.)
If you get a chance to taste her I highly recommend it. Wonderful people and good overall value on the wines.
Sabina walk us through all the amazing wines.
