2022 Mark Ryan Winery Dead Horse Cabernet Sauvignon

Well it's been a rainy day that turned much colder, and now I'm ready to head out to the theater for a play after dinner, but there's always room for wine!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of wine that's been in the cellar for a couple years, the 2022 Mark Ryan Winery Dead Horse Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (88%), Merlot (5%), Cabernet Franc (3%), Malbec (2%) and Petit Verdot (2%) from the Quintessence, Ciel du Cheval and Klipsun Vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just what you like to see.  The nose presents aromas of earthy graphite and oak intermingled with notes of blackberry and currant that get your mouth to watering.  The first sip is a rush of black fruit, that quickly evolves into multiple layers of mineral, spice and earthy notes so classic in Washington Cabernet.  Midpalate, we settle on some vanilla caramel notes with a tail of peppery spice on the finish.  The tannins are well integrated into the warm and exceedingly dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9 as it's a very pleasing and drinkable Cabernet in its youth.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from pasta to hearty stews, braised short ribs to rack of lamb.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled bone-in ribeye with some charred Romanesco and a big baked potato with sour cream and chives.  Cheers!

2022 Mark Ryan Long Haul Columbia Valley Red Wine

Happy Saturday!  I admit, I am finally catching up on some older wine club shipments, this time from 2024 (and no worries, I am sure I have some in the cellar lingering since 2016 or so!).  The 2022 Mark Ryan Long Haul Columbia Valley Red Wine is a blend of Merlot (70%), Cabernet Sauvignon (21%), Cabernet Franc (8%) and Petit Verdot (1%) from the Quintessence, Red Willow and Ciel du Cheval Vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is tasting a few years on!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with a bit of darkness at the center.  The nose presents aromas of black cherry, leather and hints of green grass.  The first sip is a surprising rush of tart cherry that eases into some flavors of vanilla bean, savory herbs and toasted oak midpalate.  The tannins are somewhat subdued, but still provide enough backbone for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic expression of the great Bordeaux style blends coming from Washington.  This wine would pair well with hard cheeses and charcuterie, beef  bourguignon, or a classic grilled steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared Angus New York Strip over a bed of sautéed onions and mushrooms, steamed asparagus and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2022 Mark Ryan Winery Lucia Rose Red Wine

Happy Sunday! Forgive my lack of posts but with the end of semester and getting ready for Christmas, time has been at a premium for me!  But tonight I submitted grades and my first semester is officially in the books, so it's time for a nice Sunday dinner and a bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2022 Mark Ryan Winery Lucia Rose Red Wine,  This wine is a blend of Petit Verdot (35% from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard), Cabernet Sauvignon (30% from block 16 of the Quintessence Vineyard), Merlot (25% from the Red Willow Vineyard) and Malbec (10% from the Henry Earl Vineyard).  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a testament to the heavy hand of these Bordeaux varietals.  The nose is chock full of ripe black fruit aromas, blackberry, currant and plum, with undertones of charred oak and meaty spice.  Take a sip and you're awash in black fruit, with a hint of sweetness that easily moves into some earthy notes of oak and peat, with anise and herbal notes.  The tannins are balanced, providing for long, smooth dry finish that lingers to you next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderful expression of a classic Bordeaux style blend from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  This wine would pair well with the holidays, just sipping on a cold winter evening in front of the fireplace.  Thinking of Christmas dinner, this would be ideal with a prime rib and all the trimmings, but tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a grilled T-bone steak, baked potato and steamed broccoli.  Cheers!

2021 Mark Ryan Winery Crazy Mary Mourvèdre

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a while since I've had a midweek post, but it's the holiday season and I don't have to work tomorrow so why not?  Tonight I am enjoying a new fall dish, so why not open a wine that is perfect for fall?  In this case, the 2021 Mark Ryan Winery Crazy Mary Mourvèdre, sourced from the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  Let's see how it's shaping up!

The wine is a dark, brooding ruby color in the glass, much more characteristic of a Cabernet, than a Rhone varietal.  The nose presents aromas of lavender, baking spice, prune and smoke, classic for a Mourvèdre.  The first sip is a cleansing rush of ripe black fruit, blackberry, currant and plum with plenty of acidity to provide a nice backbone for this wine's structure.  The acidity seems to pause a moment midpalate to let some pepper spice and vanilla bean make a cameo appearance before the dry, sultry finish.  

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just an interesting take on a single Rhone varietal that is just perfect for Fall.  This wine would pair well with aged cheese, hearty braised short ribs, or classic Yankee pot roast.  Tonight, I am veering off into a different autumnal highway and enjoying this wine with a roasted acorn squash risotto topped with a bit of crème fraiche and chopped parsley.  Cheers!

2021 Mark Ryan Water Witch

It was another very hot and humid Sunday, so I decided to go see a friend of mine perform in a play and stay in the air conditioning for most of the day.  Now it's time to brave the heat and grill dinner, which means it's time to open a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2021 Mark Ryan Water Witch, which I was surprised was the first vintage I've reviewed since the 2015 vintage!  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (22%), Malbec (6%) and Petit Verdot (2%) from the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep indigo at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, a testament to the impact of Cabernet in the blend.  The nose is a a surprisingly floral affair, with aromas of violet and rose, intermingled with notes of must and blackberry, for what would portend to be a very earthy affaire.  The first sip is an unexpected rush of tart cherry and blueberry that transitions to some earthy mushroom notes midpalate.  The tannins are well balanced, providing for a smooth dry finish with a bit of oak at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's very pleasant drinking, but not a terrific value for the price.  This wine would pair well with steak, grilled lamb or barbecued beef ribs, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a trio of my summer favorites, a cowboy ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare with grilled hatch chilies and fresh local corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2022 Mark Ryan 216 Miles to Go Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I spent the afternoon working in the yard and enjoying the sunny, cool weather, and now it's time for dinner and a nice glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of the inaugural vintage of a new Cabernet from Mark Ryan that was just delivered to me last week.  The 2022 Mark Ryan 216 Miles to Go Cabernet Sauvignon tells the story of the humble beginnings of Mark Ryan Winery and the 216 mile trip between Woodinville and the vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), Merlot (10%), Cabernet Franc (4%) and Petit Verdot (1%) from the Phinney Hill and Quintessence Vineyards of Washington.  So, let's see how this first vintage is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a solid Washington Cabernet.  The nose reveals aromas of tart cherry, green grass and dusty loam.  The first sip is an adventure, with a rush of tart cherry, raspberry and currant that easily transitions to some notes of dark chocolate and tobacco midpalate.  The tannins are well structured to provide for a warm dry finish that will have you imagining an afternoon at a wonderful Red Mountain vineyard at harvest time.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a very pleasant Cabernet at a price under $40.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from barbecue to tacos, hearty pasta to braised lamb.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic Sunday dinner of a rare grilled T-bone, baked potato and bacon roasted broccolini.  Cheers!

2021 Mark Ryan Winery Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I'm glad to report that the weather finally broke here, as yesterday it was incredibly hot and humid, but a cold front came through and today we are enjoying highs in the low 70s and expected lows in the upper 40s tonight.  This was good news as I have been waiting for a cool day to don my long sleeves, jeans and gloves to remove some of the poison ivy that's grown up this spring (the price you pay for living in a personal forest!), but now it's time for a special dinner!  Tonight is the last Sunday of the month, which means it's time for Dinner in the Diner, where I craft dinner from a recipe served in the dinning cars of some of the great long-distance trains of the 20th Century.  But before we get to that, we have to open the wine! Tonight's selection is from Mark Ryan Winery, a personal favorite harkening back to my grunge years, the 2021 Mark Ryan Winery Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (95%) and Merlot (5%) from some of the oldest vines in the Quintessence, Red Willow, Ciel du Cheval Vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how these old vines are producing!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity, much different than some of the big Cabernets you commonly see.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of black cherry, strawberry and red currant intermingled with dried herbs and a hint of green cedar.  The first sip is a rush of fresh green herbs that transition easily to ripe red fruit notes of cherry, currant and marionberry, before easing into some notes of black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are velvety smooth and expertly integrated, providing for such a pleasing, long, dry finish that you'll be immediately reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9 as it's just a wonderful example of the great quality of Cabernet being produced in Washington.  This wine would pair well with just about any red meat, from steaks and chops, to braised short ribs or classic burgers for the 4th of July.  Tonight, I am pairing this wine with a classic recipe from the Northern Pacific Railroad, the sirloin of beef with mushroom sauce.  I took the chef's prerogative and adjusted this slightly to grilled T-bone instead of baked sirloin, but the roasted vegetables and mushroom sauce stayed true to the recipe.  Cheers!

2021 Mark Ryan Winery Lonely Heart Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been a very busy few weeks for me, with work, the theatre and just trying to keep up with household chores, I haven't had much time to post!  Yesterday I finally picked up my lawnmower from being repaired and today I got to mow for the first time this year as well as digging up a 5-gallon bucket of dandelions!  And now it's time to relax with a glass of wine and a nice dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2021 Mark Ryan Winery Lonely Heart Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Quintessence Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is an inky black at the center with deep ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a pure Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of black cherry, leather, oak and a hint of marionberry, with undertones of vanilla and tobacco.  The first sip takes your breath away with a lush expression of ripe black fruit, boysenberry, cherry and currant, with a gravelly underbelly.  The tannins are perfectly structured providing for a velvety mouthfeel and a classically smooth dry finish with just a hint of mint at the end. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wine that would pair well with some of the biggest of dishes but keeps it's composure just sipping on the patio.  This wine would be ideal with big steaks, rack of lamb or braised short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an Asian barbecued ribeye served with grilled leeks, oven roasted fingerling potatoes and maple bacon Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2021 Mark Ryan Monkey Wrench Red Wine

Well, it's the last day of a long weekend, so let's go out with a bang!  It's been snowing most of the day, so I think it's appropriate to open a nice hearty red wine to enjoy with dinner.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of 2021 Mark Ryan Monkey Wrench Red Wine, a lovely blend from the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington combining some interesting fruit from both the Red Mountain and Yakima Valley regions.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (30%), Malbec (4%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (3%), from the Quintessence, Olsen, Quinn, Henry Earl, Phinny Hill, Stanton and Klipsun Vineyards, a real powerhouse cast!  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect for such a Cabernet heavy blend.  Take a whiff and you're greeted with aromas of cedar, black cherry and plum, with faint undertones of mint and lavender.  The first sip is a warm rush of ripe cherry and anise with some tawny undertones, that transitions to some notes of vanilla bean and cherry cola midpalate.  The fine grain tannins provide an ideal backbone for a smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very pleasant drinking red blend that is an affordable everyday drinker at just $35 before wine club discounts.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty fall and winder dishes, from Yankee pot roast to hearty chili or beef stew, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared ribeye, baked purple potato and some oven roasted romanesco.  Cheers!

2020 Mark Ryan Winery "The Dissident" Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been cold an rainy today, so I confess I haven't done much outside of some laundry, but at least there's wine!  Tonight I am getting ready for a bit of Italian for dinner, and though I seriously thought about opening a nice bottle of Italian wine, I opted for a bottle of wine I just recently received from a special promotion by Mark Ryan Winery.  The 2020 Mark Ryan Winery "The Dissident" Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (72%), Merlot (24%), Malbec (3%) and Petit Verdot (1%) from 11 different vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from a classic Washington Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of ripe cherry, aged leather, currant and a hint of tarragon.  The first sip is a rush of sweet cherry, intermingled with charred oak, hints of tobacco and dark chocolate which transition easily to some mineral notes of dusty limestone and basalt midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured, providing the ideal base for the long, smooth dry finish that lingers and beckons you to take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a classic example of the new world meets old world character of Washington Bordeaux style blends.  This wine is an easy drinking, hearty Cabernet, that was also a terrific value (normally $45, there is a wine club special for just $32 through the end of the month). This wine would pair well with a big steak, hearty stews, or fall pasta dishes.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with some squid ink linguine tossed with some sautéed shrimp in some of my homemade sauce.  Cheers!

2020 Mark Ryan Underground Wine Project Idle Hands Red Wine

Happy Sunday!  It's been a long and busy day for me, starting at the crack of dawn as this month I am volunteering to make breakfast for the worship team at church, then it was back home for a full day of yard work.  I trimmed a lot of branches, pulled weeks and then mowed.  By 5:30, I was ready for the end of the work day and now it's time for a nice glass of wine and a hearty dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2020 Mark Ryan Underground Wine Project  Idle Hands Red Wine.  This project started as a venture between Mark Ryan and the folks from Sleight of Hands Cellars, but eventually Mark Ryan bought out the venture to expand distribution.  In any case, particular wine is a blend of Merlot (49%), Cabernet Sauvignon (42%), Petit Verdot (7%) and Malbec (2%) all from the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, a testament to the Merlot and Cabernet in the blend.  The nose presents aromas of leather, black cherry, green herbs and hints of graphite.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, blackberry and cassis that ease effortlessly into some earth notes of peat, dusty loam and graphite.  The tannins are well structured, providing for a velvety dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking blend that is quintessential Washington.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from grilled steaks and chops, to burgers, brats and barbecued ribs.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse, grilled hatch chiles, steamed green beans and corn on the cob.  An ideal summer Sunday dinner.  Cheers!

2020 Mark Ryan Winery "Lonely Heart" Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I got a lot of yard work done today, vacuumed up the leaves from the storm, mowed and planted a bunch of begonias, so now I'm ready for a little relaxation before dinner.  And what better way to relax than opening a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2020 Mark Ryan Winery "Lonely Heart" Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Red Mountain AVA of Washington sourced from a single vineyard, Quintessence from two blocks planted with clone 191 (a personal favorite as this is the same clone that Seven Hills uses for their Summit View Cabernet) and clone 337.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, as you might expect from a solid Cabernet.  The wine presents aromas of blackberry, earthy peat, leather and baking spice.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in blackberry and currant, with a hint of tawny port, before transitioning to some warm peppery spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, allowing this wine to really showcase the complexity of the fruit ahead of the velvety smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's just a pleasant drinking Cabernet that highlights the beauty of Washington wine and the Red Mountain AVA.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, robust cheeses and charcuterie, grilled steaks, rack of lamb, or even smoked brisket.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime ribeye eye, beautifully marbled, along with some fire roasted hatch chiles, oven roasted beets and corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2021 Mark Ryan "The Dissident" Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Saturday!  Our crazy weather has continued this week, going from snow and the 30s to the 80s and back to rain and the upper 30s this weekend.  Needless to say, I did  not get all of the yard work done that I'd hoped this weekend, but at least there is good food and wine!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Mark Ryan Winery, the 2021 "The Dissident" Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (83%), Merlot (10%), Cabernet Franc (3%), Malbec (2%) and Petit Verdot (2%) from some of the premier vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this big wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, with the look of a big bold Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of  blackberry, cherry, leather and oak, a bit more subdued that some of the current range of big Cabs.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of ripe black fruit with a range from blackberry and cherry to currant and plum, that transition easily to some notes of vanilla bean and cocoa powder midpalate.  The tannins are velvety smooth providing for a long, lush finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a solid Cabernet that is very approachable in its youth.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dishes, from hard cheeses and charcuterie to grilled steaks and chops.  Tonight I am pairing this wine with a rare grilled prime New York strip that I picked up at my local market, topped with Béarnaise along with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers! 

2022 Underground Wine Project Mr. Pink Rosé

Happy day after St. Patrick's Day!  Despite what a long week I've had, I've decided to open a new bottle of wine to enjoy with my traditional dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2022 Underground Wine Project Mr. Pink Rosé.  The Underground Wine Project was a collaboration between Mark McNeilly (Mark Ryan Winery) and Trey Busch and Jerry Solomon (of Sleight of Hand Cellars) who began this collaboration in 2009.  And here we are.  The 2022 Underground Wine Project Mr. Pink Rosé is a blend of Sangiovese (58%) and Syrah (42%) from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a lovely pale peach color in the glass, just as you'd hope for an ideal summer rosé.  Take a whiff and you're greeted with aromas of peach, strawberry and honeysuckle that might trick your brain into expecting a sweeter wine.  Take a sip and the tropical fruit notes come right to the forefront, but then ease back to let some subtle floral notes of  jasmine and honeysuckle come forward, even as you experience some buttery notes reminiscent of Chardonnay.  The flavors come together for a wonderfully crisp dry finish with a reprise of floral at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a super pleasant drinking rosé, ideal for sipping on the patio this summer.  This wine would pair exceptionally well with salmon, fresh summer salad, particularly caprese or just plain hanging out with friends.  Tonight, I've paired this wine with my traditional St. Patrick's Day dinner of slow cooked corned beef, cabbage, carrots and potatoes along with some buttered soda bread.  Cheers!

2019 Manu Propria Ex Animo

Happy Saturday!  It's been a day or errands, memorial services and volunteer work today, so now I'm ready for a bit of relaxation and a nice dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of wine that just came out and I was fortunate to secure a few bottles given the limited production.  The 2019 Manu Propria Ex Animo is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Red Willow Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA of Washington. This is the first time I've been able to secure some of this wine since the 2015 Vintage and I'm looking forward to this wine as it is made with some Clone 191, which is the same Cabernet clone used in the Seven Hills Summit View Cabernet, which is a long-time personal favorite.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, a testament to the varietal.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of leather, ripe cherry and plum with just a hint of floral notes.  The first sip is a rush of cherry that's at first tart, and then evolves into a ripe sweetness, along with some ripe red plum that linger into some mild earthiness of oak and a hint of mint midpalate.  The tannins are silky smooth, providing for a delightfully smooth dry finish that lingers into a reprise of tart acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it is a wonderfully classic Cabernet that shines through the classic Bordeaux-esque characteristics that make me love Washington wine.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty winter dishes, from beef stew and chili, to prime rib or hearty pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a big honkin' porterhouse grilled rare, with some blistered cherry tomatoes, grilled leeks and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2019 Mark Ryan Numbskull

Happy Wine Wednesday!  This is the second day of my long Christmas vacation as I had 11 vacation days left that I needed to use by year end, so I'm finally catching up on work around the house and blog posts among other things.  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of wine I brought back from my Walla Walla trip last year.  The 2019 Mark Ryan Numbskull is a classic GSM blend of Syrah (53%), Mourvèdre (25%) and Grenache (22%) from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  So, let's see if I picked the right wine for my Wednesday dinner!

The wine is a bright garnet in the glass, exactly as you might expect from such a blend.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of black cherry, anise, baking spice and a bit of dusty loam.  The first sip is a rush of sweet black cherry that transitions nicely to some earthy mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are well structured providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish with just a kick of spice at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a very pleasant example of what Washington wine makers are doing with Rhone varietals.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from lamb to butter chicken, hearty pasta to prime steaks.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a grilled veal rib chop along with roasted root vegetables and steamed broccoli.  Cheers!

2020 Mark Ryan "Crazy Mary" Mourvèdre

Happy Sunday!  It was the first full day of leaf activity, with the blower, the vacuum and lots of tiring labor!  But, at least I've caught up for a week and am ready to enjoy Sunday dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I recently received from Mark Ryan Winery, the 2020 Crazy Mary Mourvèdre, which is a blend of Mourvèdre (78%) and Syrah (22%) from the Ciel du Cheval and Red Willow Vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this vintage is shaping up!

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass, which is characteristic of the varietals.  A gentle swirl of the glass unlocks aromas of strawberry, red currant and hints of smoke and pipe tobacco.  Take a sip and you know you're in for a ride with crazy Mary in the driver's seat, a rush of strawberry and sweet red berry fruit up front veers into some spicy pepper notes before spinning right back to some earthy tar, tobacco and black tea notes before heading right off the cliff for some salty mineral notes on the finish.  The tannins are supple and unobtrusive, making a parting gift for the long, smooth dry finish that beckons you to take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of the better vintages I've tried, with wonderfully intriguing characteristics that would be wonderful to enjoy with friends.  This wine would pair well with a variety of fall dishes, from venison to roasted rack of lamb, hearty beef stew or braised short ribs, but tonight I am going the Pacific Northwest route and am enjoying this wine with salmon!  Specifically, I am enjoying this wine with my Sunday dinner of crispy skin black pearl Scottish salmon, steamed brown rice and some oven roasted baby carrots and beets.  Cheers!

2017 Mark Ryan "The Vincent" Columbia Valley Red Wine

Happy Sunday!  So, today I had the second flat tire in a week, though this time it was on my wheel barrow, so not nearly as time consuming to fix.  After an afternoon of mowing, yard work and getting a new inner tube for a tire, it's now time to relax with a nice glass of wine as I prepare my Sunday dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of Mark Ryan's second label, the 2017 Board Track Racer "The Vincent" Columbia Valley red wine.  I found this wine a my local wine store on clearance, and it was the last bottle so I took home a bargain!  The 2017 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (25%) and Malbec (15%) from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  Let's see how this one is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, as you might expect from a heavy hand of these Bordeaux varietals.  Take a whiff and you're greeted by deep prune, with hints of cedar and earthy peat, with a bit of spice under the surface.  On your first sip you experience a rush of rich black fruit, blackberry, currant and cherry that wash over your palate before easing into some peppery spice notes midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing for a round mouthfeel and a very smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very pleasant wine for under $20.  This wine would pair well with a range of Labor Day dishes, from burgers and brats to barbecued ribs and brisket.  Tonight, however, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Angus New York strip with grilled hatch chiles, along with some roasted root vegetables and steamed green beans.  Cheers!

2020 Mark Ryan Lu & Oly Flowerhead Rose

Happy Friday!  It's getting really hot and humid here, which can only mean that rose season is in full effect!  Perhaps this weekend we might make it all rose all day, what do you think?  In any case, tonight I've opened a bottle of 2020 Lu & Oly Flowerhead Rose, from Mark Ryan Winery in Washington.  This wine is a blend of Sangiovese (89%), Merlot (6%), Syrah (4%) and Grenache (1%) from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  So, let's see if this wine is as refreshing as the artwork on the label!

The wine is a pale peach color in the glass, a near perfect rose color.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of strawberry, peach, green apple and a hint of green grass.  Take a sip and your greeted with a rush of zesty citrus up front that enlivens your tastebuds, before transitioning to some wonderful velvety peach and raspberry notes midpalate.  The finish is crisp and dry, with a lovely lingering feeling that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a very pleasant drinking rose that would be perfect on the patio all summer long.  This wine would pair well with a range of lighter summer fare, from caprese salads to Asian chicken lettuce wraps.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with my first adventure with Uber Eats and a crab and lobster feast from Red Lobster!  Snow crab legs, lobster tail, crispy Brussels sprouts and of course their amazing cheddar biscuits.  I admit I rarely dine out when I'm home, but my company gave me an Uber Eats gift card last Christmas, so I thought I should use it.  Cheers!

Walla Walla Wine Tasting Vacation - Day 3

Happy Independence Day!  Well, it's my second to last day in Walla Walla doing some wine tasting, and it was a busy day!  I started this morning with a trip down to Pendleton to visit the woolen mills (don't ask me why I thought shopping for a wool scarf and blanket when it was 102 degrees was a good idea!), as well as Hamley's, the old west store (I may have also done some vodka tasting at the Oregon Grain Growers distillery).  Then I came back up to Walla Walla for a wine tasting at Maison Bleue, which is owned by Willamette Valley Vineyards, of which I am a proud shareholder.

Unlike the last time I tasted here, the Maison Bleue tasting room now has the Pambrun line of Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux style blends which were very nice!  Next I went to AK Mercado for lunch.  This is the restaurant started by chef Andrae Bopp, who is a long-time fixture in the Walla Walla food scene, operating a catering business and a small place out of a gas station.  I enjoyed the brisket, braised short rib and grilled cod tacos which were phenomenal!

After lunch I went to the first of two Mark Ryan tasting rooms.  The old one which has been there for the better part of a decade is the one I've been to many times, and is now focused on the core Mark Ryan label.  

The Mark Ryan Annex is devoted to the other Mark Ryan labels, such as the Board Track Racer, Lu & Oly, and Monkey Wrench.  In any case, the wines were still great, and I was able to pick up a bottle of 2019 Numbskull GSM blend which was sourced from Red Mountain fruit as well as the new "bubbles" white wine, which will be featured on the patio at some point this summer.

So, another wonderful day of wine tasting to wind up my trip, next stop Glacier National Park!