One of my favorite tasting room visits in Woodinville as they pour everything in the lineup and always great customer service. Most of the wines were showing well and some will blossom with more time.
Glasvin Universal used on all samples.
CellarTracker! Mark Ryan Tasting
The Whites
The start of the show here was the Viognier.
- 2024 Mark Ryan Chardonnay Columbia Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Glasvin Universal. As with most Washington State Chardonnays a bit disappointing. Flint, apricots, dust, lemon and spice. Short to medium finish. (89 pts.)
- 2024 Mark Ryan Sauvignon Blanc – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Glasvin Universal. 100% Quintessence Vineyard/Red Mountain. Very nice with floral, orange peel, minerals, white flowers and dust. Clean wine and nice acidity. Recommended. (91 pts.)
- 2024 Mark Ryan Viognier Yakima Valley – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
Glasvin Universal. 100% Viognier and Olsen/Red Willow Vineyards. Creamy style with stone, lemon, earth, crushed flowers, spice a a touch of lime. Very aromatic and flavorful. (92 pts.)
The Pinots
I find these a bit lush for my tastes but if you like bolder Pinots these are for you.
- 2023 Mark Ryan Pinot Noir Megan Anne – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
Glasvin Universal. Pinot for the cab lover. Bigger and bolder than most from Oregon. Pepper, cranberry, ripe strawberries, menthol and spices. A jammy style which I found enjoyable as it is not over the top. (90 pts.)
- 2023 Mark Ryan Pinot Noir Black Love – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Bigger and richer than the Megan Anne the “Black Love” is a Pinot for the Cab drinker. Spices, crush rocks, ripe berries, minerals, cherry and black licorice. Medium plus finish. (91 pts.)
The Others
These are both good but the nod goes to Crazy Mary. Always a hit wine.
- 2023 Mark Ryan Syrah Wild Eyed Red Mountain – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Glasvin Universal. Dark purple. Intense out of the gate. I find these wines need about 6 to 10 years to hit their stride so patience with this one. Black pepper, menthol, rose petals, black currants and blueberries. Medium plus finish. 91 to 94. (91 pts.)
- 2023 Mark Ryan Mourvèdre Crazy Mary – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Glasvin Universal. What a fun wine with earth, underbrush, violets, gravel, boysenberries, mulberries, floral and spices. Serve this blind. (93 pts.)
Bordeaux Style
Very good showing on these and the Dissident wins again for best value but the Lonely Heart was for sure wine of the tasting.
- 2023 Mark Ryan The Dissident – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Glasvin Universal. Another strong showing and a benchmark effort for under $40. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 5% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Cherry, sour raspberries, wood, menthol, plum, spice and rose petals. Medium plus finish. These will drink well through 2035. (93 pts.)
- 2023 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon 216 Miles to Go – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Glasvin Universal. A newer wine from Mark Ryan and not quite as good as my go to Dissident but has great value in mind here. Oak, cherry, spices, dark chocolate and blueberries. This will be a good everyday drinker. (91 pts.)
- 2023 Mark Ryan Long Haul – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Glasvin Universal. 63% Merlot, 20% Cabernet, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. Plum, minerals, cherry, dust, earth, a touch of wood and mild spices. An elegant offering overall and a nice blend. (92 pts.)
- 2023 Mark Ryan Merlot Little Sister – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Glasvin Universal. I enjoyed this more than the Long Haul and this has a potential to be a 95 pointer in a few years. Cherry, spices, tobacco, cassis, wood and dark chocolate. A rich and powerful wine. Quintessence fruit featuring 89% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. (93 pts.) - 2023 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Dead Horse – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Glasvin Universal. Big fan of the Dead Horse. Plum, wood, spices, chocolate, floral, cassis and dark cherries. Medium to long finish and powerful wine. (94 pts.)
- 2023 Mark Ryan Water Witch Red Mountain – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Glasvin Universal. Rich wine with smoke, oak, vanilla, cherry, blueberries and smoke. A touch of pepper on the finish. Needs time to settle down. (90 pts.) - 2023 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Glasvin Universal. Cherry, plum, earth, spices, leather, wood, dried flowers and baking chocolate. Medium plus finish and a wine that will be outstanding in 10 years. 93+ (93 pts.)
- 2023 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Lonely Heart – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
Glasvin Universal. The best of the wines at Mark Ryan today. Powerful wine with blue fruits, charcoal, blackcurrants, oak, vanilla, menthol and spices. Concentrated. Put this in with $200 younger Napa wines blind and see a good result.
95% Cabernet and 5% Petit Verdot. (95 pts.)
