One of the standout Woodinville wineries, Mark Ryan has gained a strong reputation for producing high quality and rich red wines. Mark Ryan McNeilly founded Mark Ryan Winery in 1999 and was largely self-taught as a winemaker. He finally settled on a Woodiville warehouse location in 2003 and has continued producing wonderful wines since that time. Mark Ryan is a gorgeous tasting room, near Purple restaurant, in the heart of Woodinville Wine Country. It one of the more boisterous and fun place to try wine in the area.
His Long Haul and Dead Horse red wines have gained International acclaim and the current releases were just gorgeous. One minor surprise was his 2016 Mark Ryan Viognier (WWB, 92) which showed tremendous poise and elegance. Mark clearly has a handle on white varietals, as this is the best Viognier that I have sampled from this estate. Look for their 2013 ‘Lonely Heart’ and ‘Dead Horse’ Cabernet bottlings (WWB, 94). These wines show tremendous fruit weight and terroir, coming from a terrific vintage. Learn more about these great wines at http://www.markryanwinery.com Here are the great new wines by Mark Ryan.
2016 Mark Ryan Viognier- This wine begins with aromas reminiscent of lychee, gooseberry, mulberry sauce and hints of nectarine. This leads to ripe flavors of white peach, pink grapefruit, and lychee all leading to a lovely, vanilla cream laced finish. Drink 2017-2023- 92
2014 Mark Ryan ‘Vincent ‘Chardonnay- This wine begins with aromas of starfruit, Pink Lady Apple and Suggestions of orange blossom. There are flavors of red delicious apple, candied pink grapefruit and poached pear. Delicious and open effort. Drink 2016-2022- 90
2015 Mark Ryan 'The Dissident' Red Wine- Comprised of 55% Cabernet with 28% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, this wine opens with a strong bouquet of coffee grounds, black cherry compote, black olive tapenade and sandalwood. This leads to flavors of black cherry cough syrup, black tea, cigar box and suggestions of creosote. The 2015 Mark Ryan 'The Dissident' has a polished mouthfeel andl lovely viscosity from this warm vintage in Washington. This great red blend will cellar nicely for another decade. Drink 2017-2027- 91
2015 Mark Ryan 'Wild Eyed' Syrah- This excellent Syrah wine opens with aromatics of smoked brisket, black tar, black olive and citrus blossom. The texture is deep and lovely with ripe flavors of cedar, black cherry, Kalmata olive tapenade, and boysenberry liquor with orange rind. This is dense and delicious wine that will cellar beautifully for a decade or more. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2014 Mark Ryan 'The Chief' Cabernet- This excellent value wine opens with dill, pencil shavings, black cherry and cassis aromatics. There are deep flavors of mocha, anise, cassis and hints of red currant. Showing a little restraint right now, give this another year for the fruit to fully integrate. Right now the minerality gives this a beautiful Bordelaise feel. Drink 2017-2028- 91
2014 Mark Ryan ‘Numbskull GSM’ Red Wine- This wine is a one did 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. Lovely minerality. Drink 2017-2025- 92
2014 Mark Ryan ‘Numbskull BDX’ Red Wine- 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. Lovely minerality. Drink 2017-2026- 92
2013 Mark Ryan ‘Lost Soul’ Syrah- This blend is 3% Mouvedre (Ciel du Cheval)with the rest Syrah from the Red Willow vineyard The wine begins either aromatics of baking spices, anise, smoked meats, sagebrush, leather and red cherry. Lovely terroir. There are flavors of red cherry, blackberry cobbler, smoked meats and sagebrush. Outstanding effort. Drink 2016-2026- 93
2013 Mark Ryan ‘Dead Horse’ Cabernet- From mostly Red Mountain fruit with a touch of Red Willow. 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. Lovely minerality too. 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. Massive wine that needs time. Drink 2018-2028- 94