Going into 2024 I really can’t say that I have tried a Mark Ryan wine from Walla Walla, Washington. At the 2024 Celebrate Walla Walla Cabernet Festival I had sampled just about enough for the day even with the smell, swish and spit technique I use at all big tastings. My sister-in-law Linda said have you tried Mark Ryan wines? I said no and asked if I should. She insisted. Well here are the two reviews of the wines poured at this event:
- 2020 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Dead Horse – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (7/13/2024)
2024 Celebrate Cabernet Walla Walla Festival Grand Tasting (Marcus Witman Hotel, Walla Walla): My sister in law recommended trying this wine at the Grand Tasting and then visited them in Woodinville the following Monday. Winery of the try by a landslide. Amazing stuff featuring tobacco, earth, cherry, plum, vanilla, subtle oak and minerals. Super complex wine and long finish. A true value in terms of quality. (94 points) - 2021 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (7/13/2024)
2024 Celebrate Cabernet Walla Walla Festival Grand Tasting (Marcus Witman Hotel, Walla Walla): Plum, coffee beans, menthol, blueberries, earth and mild oak. Really complex and long finish. Nice acidity. (93 points)
After the event my niece Erika and I were tasting at Januik but had time to check out one more place so it was between Delille (which I love) and Mark Ryan. I suggested Mark Ryan and that was for sure the right decision on this day. I was able to taste through both of their flights and very rarely at a tasting with 10 or more wines do I give out 90 plus on all of them. The staff there was outstanding and very informative. Everyone when you take notes and talk about the wine the serving staff gets more engaged with you. Try this!
Here are the results of this tasting.
- 2023 Mark Ryan Sauvignon Blanc – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
One of the better whites of the trip. Grapefruit, cat pee in a good way, spice, lemon and tropical fruit. Nice acidity and medium plus finish. (92 pts.) - 2021 Mark Ryan Pinot Noir Megan Anne – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
Full throttle Pinot Noir with cranberry, strawberry, soy, spice and a mineral streak on the finish. I would hold these until 2027. (92 pts.) - 2022 Mark Ryan The Dissident – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
At the tasting room and this was drinking well right out of the gate. A fruit forward wine that will drink young. Juicy fruit featuring cherry and plum. Spice, neutral oak and floral notes. Medium finish. Excellent value under $50. (92 pts.) - 2022 Mark Ryan Syrah Wild Eyed Red Mountain – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Wonderful showing with spice, black pepper, sour cherry, minerals and earth. Medium plus finish. Drink well now but will go through 2032. (93 pts.) - 2021 Mark Ryan Long Haul – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Big wine with tobacco, plum, spice, floral, earth and minerals. Everything is here for a long haul aging! Not sure what one user was thinking with a 78 but you get that on Cellar Tracker. (93 pts.) - 2021 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Dead Horse – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
What a beautiful wine with dark purple color. Cherry, spices, blueberries, oak, eucalyptuses, coffee beans and plum. Long finish. Needs some time in the cellar so drink after 2028. (94 pts.) - 2020 Mark Ryan Merlot Little Sister – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Very fragrant wine with perfume, cherry, raspberries, lily, cigar and minerals. Medium plus finish. Should age a while. (93 pts.) - 2021 Mark Ryan Water Witch Red Mountain – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Clove, vanilla, black licorice, dark cherries, blueberries, and earth. Nice fruit right out of the gate and medium plus finish. Excellent wine.93-95 (93 pts.) - 2021 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Cherry, plum, coffee beans, menthol, spice and blue currants. Really tasty and long finish. Drink 2028 and beyond. (93 pts.) - 2021 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Lonely Heart – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
The best wine at the tasting but they were all great. Cherry, oak, vanilla, spice, dark chocolate and dark berries. Long finish and has the potential for 20 plus years of aging. 94-97 (94 pts.)
In closing congratulations to Mark Ryan Winery and always try something new when someone is suggesting a wine.