When I go to Walla Walla and Woodinville trying to taste everything is impossible however I always find a new rockstar winery and this trip was no different. Tried a few in Walla Walla from Mark Ryan. One at the vintage pour and two at the Grand Tasting.
CellarTracker! Mark Ryan Tasting
- 2020 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Dead Horse – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (7/13/2024)
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)
Plum, coffee beans, menthol, blueberries, earth and mild oak. Really complex and long finish. Nice acidity. (93 points) - 2014 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Lonely Heart – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (7/11/2024)
Celebrate Walla Walla Vintage Pour (Walla Walla Vitners): Excellent showing with floral, red currants, oak, vanilla, spices and dark cherry. Medium plus finish. (92 points)
Had some time on Monday and my niece Erika and I started at Januik which she used to work at but the wines were well below average especially the 2020s which are almost not drinkable. We had time for one more winery and it was between Sparkman, Delille and Mark Ryan. Well picked the right winery as this tasting was one if the only time all the wines were 92 points or higher.
- 2023 Mark Ryan Sauvignon Blanc – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (7/15/2024)
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 points)
- 2021 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Dead Horse – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (7/15/2024)
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 points)
- 2021 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Lonely Heart – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (7/15/2024)
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 points) - 2020 Mark Ryan Merlot Little Sister – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (7/15/2024)
Very fragrant wine with perfume, cherry, raspberries, lily, cigar and minerals. Medium plus finish. Should age a while. (93 points) - 2021 Mark Ryan Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (7/15/2024)
Cherry, plum, coffee beans, menthol, spice and blue currants. Really tasty and long finish. Drink 2028 and beyond. (93 points)
- 2021 Mark Ryan Long Haul – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (7/15/2024)
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 points) - 2021 Mark Ryan Water Witch Red Mountain – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (7/15/2024)
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 points)
- 2022 Mark Ryan Syrah Wild Eyed Red Mountain – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (7/15/2024)
Wonderful showing with spice, black pepper, sour cherry, minerals and earth. Medium plus finish. Drink well now but will go through 2032. (93 points) - 2021 Mark Ryan Pinot Noir Megan Anne – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills (7/15/2024)
Full throttle Pinot Noir with cranberry, strawberry, soy, spice and a mineral streak on the finish. I would hold these until 2027. (92 points) - 2022 Mark Ryan The Dissident – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (7/15/2024)
So when people say they like Caymus this is now the perfect alternative that is good. $45 retail and diam 10. Cherry, plum, spice, minerals and floral notes. Smooth wine with medium finish. (92 points)
- 2022 Mark Ryan The Dissident – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (7/15/2024)
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 points)
