One of the major hits in Woodinville, Mark Ryan is a rock and roll themed tasting experience that is almost always busy with eager thirsty visitors. With walls filled with rock décor, from guitars to platinum records, Mark Ryan is the perfect place for the music enthusiast to sample their highly impressive lineup of wines. There is something electric about tasting wine there. Founded in 1999, head winemaker, Mark Ryan is a self-taught winemaker, which is remarkable considering how their Long Haul and Dead Horse wines have built a cult following in Washington wine. Mark Ryan are also becoming more and more known for their Viognier, which carries a nice price tag a well. The 2013 Mark Ryan Viognier (WWB, 91) is a balanced and lithe effort, with plenty of rich fruit flavors.
Mark Ryan is most known for their red wines and their current lineup makes that no surprise. If you like a dense and full-throttle style of Cabernet and Syrah, Mark Ryan does this while maintaining nice structure. Check out their 2013 ‘Dead Horse’ (WWB, 94) is a massive wine which shows the warmth and structure of a great vintage. It will cellar beautifully for many years to come. Finally, the 2013 Mark Ryan ‘Lonely Heart’ Cabernet (WWB, 94) also shows great terroir and density that rivals some of the best Cabernets in the state. Learn more about the winery at markryan.com
Here are the impressive new release wines from Mark Ryan
2013 Mark Ryan Viognier- This is a great bottling by Mark Ryan. The wine begins with bright aromatics of honeysuckle and pear with light spice accents on the nose. The palate is lithe and has pear, red delicious and cantaloupe. Fantastic expression of the varietal, with the balance and poise that you would want. Drink 2016-2021 -91
2014 Mark Ryan 'The Vincent' Chardonnay- This wine begins with aromas of honeysuckle, Bartlett pear and lychee. Nice range of aromatics at play. This leads to flavors of pear, golden delicious, and done in the smooths and lithe style. Light and refreshing style of Chardonnay. Drink 2016-2021. -92
2013 Mark Ryan 'The Chief'- This wine begins with aromas of blackberry, creme de cassis and green olive and oak. This leads to flavors of blackberry, coffee, milk chocolate and black olive. Drink 2016-2022. -90
2013 Mark Ryan ‘Crazy Mary’- They have utilized Ciel du Cheval and Force Majure fruit for this wine. The wine opens with a smoky nose with smoked meats, blackberry, coffee and oak. The palate yields dense flavors of blackberry, cigar box, milk chocolate and black olive alongside smoked pork shoulder. Delicious wine that you want to savor in your glass. Drink 2016-2023. -92
2013 Mark Ryan ‘The Dissident’- This wine has a lovely terroir driven aromatic profile with aromas of black cherry, blackberry and anise. There are rich flavors of anise, creme de cassis and black olive. With a silky smooth texture, this is rock solid wine. Drink 2016-2023. -92
2013 Mark Ryan ‘The Wild Eyed’ Syrah- This Syrah wine opens with rich aromas of blackberry, smoked meats and cassis. This leads to intense flavors of blackberry, anise and red currant. The structure of this wine suggests that it will be long lived. This is pretty difficult to resist right now. Drink 2016-2025. -93
2014 Mark Ryan ‘Numbskull GSM’- This wine is a blend of 83% Syrah with 14% Mouvedre and 3% Grenache. The wine begins with aromas of oak, blackberry pie and black olive. There are flavors of black olive, blackberry and smoked meats. Lovely texture but needs time. There is a really nice balance and poise to this red wine. Drink 2017-2025- 92
2014 Mark Ryan ‘Numbskull BDX’- This Merlot dominant blend begins with aromas of dill, blackberry, black cherry and black olive. This leads to flavors of black cherry, blackberry preserves and black olive with suggestions of smoked meats. This wine possesses some lovely minerality. Drink 2017-2026- 92
2013 Mark Ryan ‘Lost Soul’ Syrah- This blend is 3% Mouvedre (Ciel du Cheval fruit) with the rest Syrah that is sourced from the famed Red Willow vineyard. The wine begins with earthy aromatics of baking spices, anise, smoked meats, sagebrush, leather and red cherry. Lovely terroir. There are dense flavors of red cherry, blackberry cobbler, smoked meats and sagebrush. Outstanding effort. Drink 2016-2026- 93
2013 Mark Ryan ‘Dead Horse’ Red Wine- The wine is sourced mostly from Red Mountain, with a touch of Red Willow fruit. This wine begins with aromatics of blackberry compote, creme de cassis and sage. The wine has flavors of blackberry, cassis, in this sense full bodied effort. Lovely texture and tannic structure to this impressive red wine. Drink 2016-2028- 94
2013 Mark Ryan ‘Lonely Heart’ Cabernet- This wine begins with aromas of sagebrush, blackberry jam, anise mocha and cassis. This leads to flavors of black cherry, black tea, anise and creme de cassis. This is a hugely massive wine that needs time. Drink 2018-2028- 94