Mark Ryan Wild Eyed Washington Wines

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MARK RYAN IS WILD EYED
Wild Eye Syrah, The Dissident, Ciel du Cheval VIognier Released

Think back to the 2001 vintage when we were babbling about this young Washington winemaker and his huge, bold Dead Horse and Long Haul reds. Flash forward to now: that winemaker, Mark (Ryan) McNeilly, is making powerful, elegant, awesome red wines that are among the best in the Northwest. We’re still wild about Mark Ryan wines.

We’ve sent several of Mark’s wines to the Big Reds Wine Club; his wines receive glowing reviews from our customers and from wine critics. Mark’s wines are never around long—I give these less than a month before they’re sold out.

Mark Ryan “Wild Eyed” Syrah 2005 $37.76/$41.95

I liked Mark’s 2004 Syrah because it was big and brash, a massive dark monster Syrah. The 2005 retains the attitude but with more finesse and polish. Rich high-toned aromas of white flowers (courtesy of the 5% Viognier) mingle with dark red cherries and mixed berries, fresh ground white pepper, and that meaty Syrah thing we all love.

The flavors ooze from the glass with black plum, ultra-ripe raspberry, and dark cherry giving way to mixed black and white pepper, subtle notes of chicory and ginseng spice and cocoa on the finish. The plush texture beckons “drink me now” while the gorgeous balance says “buy another six for the cellar.” The Wild Eyed would pair well with pan seared beef tenderloin with Shitake mushrooms and leeks.

The 2004 received 92 points from Wine Spectator, after it was sold out. Made from Ciel du Cheval, Hedges, and Kiona fruit.

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Mark Ryan “The Dissident” 2005 $26.06/$28.95

I’ve shared with some of you my tasting notes from my last visit to Mark’s winery. I tasted the 2005 Dead Horse in barrel and almost left the winery with that barrel in the trunk of my car. Seriously. The Dissident is sourced primarily from the same Red Mountain fruit as Mark’s Dead Horse and Long Haul, with the addition of Syrah.

First impressions are everything, and the nose on The Dissident doesn’t disappoint. Big black and red fruit, cocoa, bacon smoke, licorice, baking spices, and roasted coffee waft from the wine. The flavors are robust and bursting with red and black cherries, black raspberries and plums. Nice and silky, just like you want, with smooth and long finish.

Better than last year’s Dissident, this is a no-brainer case buy.

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Mark Ryan
Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Viognier 2006 $26.06/$28.95

Few people were lucky enough last year to nab some of Mark’s Ciel du Cheval Viognier. There’s more this year and it rocks. Pineapple, coconut, green apple, white flowers and apricots meld to lavish flavors that keep fattening as the wine opens. So round and creamy in the mouth, with this fascinating, faint ribbon of black pepper that slides over the roof of your mouth and seamlessly transitions to a clean minerality.

YUM! A few of us remarked that we would have picked this as an Old World Viognier in a blind tasting. Barrel fermented. The refreshing acidity, minerality and bright apricot would pair nicely with appetizers such as crostini with goat cheese and marmalade.

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====THE SAMPLER====

Mark Ryan's Wild Eyed Sampler
5 Wild Eyed Syrah ‘05 $41.95
5 The Dissident ‘05 $28.95
2 Ciel du Cheval Viognier ‘06 $28.95

save $43.40 from suggested retail ($412.40)

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