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Mark Ryan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon
Red Mountain Lonely Heart 2007
93 points
Polished, powerful, focused and disarming for its juicy, ripe black
currant and dark plum fruit, nicely framed by licorice, pepepr and
black olive notes. Lingers against refined tannins. Drink now
through 2017.
Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator
Mark Ryan Winery Dead Horse Ciel du Cheval
Vineyard Red Mountain 2007
92 points
Under a layer of firm tannins, this has flesh and sweetness,
offering black cherry, rhubarb, dried tomato and black olive
flavors that mingle effectively on the expressive finish. Holds
together tightly. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
and Petit Verdot. Best from 2012 through 2020.
Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator
Mark Ryan Winery Viognier
Columbia Valley 2007
91 points
The 2007 Viognier was sourced from two premier vineyards.
Medium straw-colored, it exhibits an alluring bouquet of peach,
apricot, mineral, and floral notes. This leads to an expansive,
concentrated, full-flavored Viognier buttressed by crisp acidity
and a fruit-filled finish. It is one of the best examples of Viognier
from my recent tastings in Washington.
Jay Miller for The Wine Advocate
Mark Ryan Winery Crazy Mary Mourvedre
Columbia Valley 2006
92 points
The 2006 Mourvedre Crazy Mary was sourced from the Ciel du
Cheval Vineyard and aged in 50% new French oak. Purple-
colored, it has a complex aromatic array of meat/blood, game,
mushroom, and assorted black fruits. Opulent on the palate with
gobs of flavor, the wine manages to be balanced and restrained.
Give this top-notch effort 4-6 years to evolve and drink it through
2022.
Jay Miller for The Wine Advocate
Mark Ryan Winery Chardonnay
Columbia Valley 2007
91 points
Light gold-colored, it reveals aromas of toast, mineral, poached
pear, and apple. Smooth-textured, balanced, and vibrant in a
Chassagne-Montrachet style, the flavors are rich and all
components are well-integrated. Drink this outstanding
Chardonnay over the next 4 years.
Jay Miller for The Wine Advocate
William Church Winery Bishop's Blend
Columbia Valley 2006
Bishop's Blend is an odd yet delicious combination of mostly
Bordeaux grape varieties, with the addition of a little Syrah and
Sangiovese. Red and black cherry and raspberry flavors are
supported by the rich smooth tannins.
Food & Wine Wine Guide 2010
Red Mountain Lonely Heart 2007
93 points
Polished, powerful, focused and disarming for its juicy, ripe black
currant and dark plum fruit, nicely framed by licorice, pepepr and
black olive notes. Lingers against refined tannins. Drink now
through 2017.
Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator
Mark Ryan Winery Dead Horse Ciel du Cheval
Vineyard Red Mountain 2007
92 points
Under a layer of firm tannins, this has flesh and sweetness,
offering black cherry, rhubarb, dried tomato and black olive
flavors that mingle effectively on the expressive finish. Holds
together tightly. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
and Petit Verdot. Best from 2012 through 2020.
Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator
Mark Ryan Winery Viognier
Columbia Valley 2007
91 points
The 2007 Viognier was sourced from two premier vineyards.
Medium straw-colored, it exhibits an alluring bouquet of peach,
apricot, mineral, and floral notes. This leads to an expansive,
concentrated, full-flavored Viognier buttressed by crisp acidity
and a fruit-filled finish. It is one of the best examples of Viognier
from my recent tastings in Washington.
Jay Miller for The Wine Advocate
Mark Ryan Winery Crazy Mary Mourvedre
Columbia Valley 2006
92 points
The 2006 Mourvedre Crazy Mary was sourced from the Ciel du
Cheval Vineyard and aged in 50% new French oak. Purple-
colored, it has a complex aromatic array of meat/blood, game,
mushroom, and assorted black fruits. Opulent on the palate with
gobs of flavor, the wine manages to be balanced and restrained.
Give this top-notch effort 4-6 years to evolve and drink it through
2022.
Jay Miller for The Wine Advocate
Mark Ryan Winery Chardonnay
Columbia Valley 2007
91 points
Light gold-colored, it reveals aromas of toast, mineral, poached
pear, and apple. Smooth-textured, balanced, and vibrant in a
Chassagne-Montrachet style, the flavors are rich and all
components are well-integrated. Drink this outstanding
Chardonnay over the next 4 years.
Jay Miller for The Wine Advocate
William Church Winery Bishop's Blend
Columbia Valley 2006
Bishop's Blend is an odd yet delicious combination of mostly
Bordeaux grape varieties, with the addition of a little Syrah and
Sangiovese. Red and black cherry and raspberry flavors are
supported by the rich smooth tannins.
Food & Wine Wine Guide 2010
Sparkman Cellars Kingpin Cabernet Sauvignon
Red Mountain 2007
93 points
A supple, inviting wine, with power behind its refine structure.
This shows marvelous black cherry ,pomegranate and licorice
flavors that glide easily over firm but beautiful integrated tannins,
the structure letting the flavors hover elegantly. Best from 2012
through 2020.
Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator
Sparkman Cellars Lumiere Chardonnay
Columbia Valley 2008
91 points
Polished, lively and elegant, keenly balanced to inspire the
pineapple, pear and tangerine peel flavors with refreshing acidity,
all persisting into the juicy finish. Drink now through 2013.
Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator
Sparkman Cellars Lumiere Chardonnay
Columbia Valley 2006
90 points
The 2006 Chardonnay Lumiere was sourced from the Stillwater
Creek Vineyard, fermented with native yeasts, and aged in 80%
new French oak. Light gold-colored, it offers up aromas of toast,
butterscotch, pear, spiced apple, and tropical fruits. Balanced with
lively acidity, this tasty Chardonnay is ripe, full-flavored, and long
in the finish. Drink it over the next three years.
Jay Miller for The Wine Advocate
Columbia Valley 2007
92 points
Supple, generous, focused and appealing for its layers of cherry,
raspberry, tobacco and spice flavors, lingering easily on the
polished finish. Delivers depth and distinction. Merlot, Cabernet
Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Drink now
through 2015.
Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator
Columbia Valley 2007
91 points
Supple, refined and beautifully focused, playing its cherry,
raspberry, currant and fallen leaf aromas and flavors on a sleek
frame, allowing the finish to roll on easily. Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Drink now
through 2017.
Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator
Columbia Valley 2006
91 points
Smooth, polished and generous with its layers of currant, plum
and white pepper aromas and flavors, with a whiff of herbs.
Persists easily into the
long, deftly balanced finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2014.
Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator
Red Mountain 2007
93 points
A supple, inviting wine, with power behind its refine structure.
This shows marvelous black cherry ,pomegranate and licorice
flavors that glide easily over firm but beautiful integrated tannins,
the structure letting the flavors hover elegantly. Best from 2012
through 2020.
Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator
Sparkman Cellars Lumiere Chardonnay
Columbia Valley 2008
91 points
Polished, lively and elegant, keenly balanced to inspire the
pineapple, pear and tangerine peel flavors with refreshing acidity,
all persisting into the juicy finish. Drink now through 2013.
Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator
Sparkman Cellars Lumiere Chardonnay
Columbia Valley 2006
90 points
The 2006 Chardonnay Lumiere was sourced from the Stillwater
Creek Vineyard, fermented with native yeasts, and aged in 80%
new French oak. Light gold-colored, it offers up aromas of toast,
butterscotch, pear, spiced apple, and tropical fruits. Balanced with
lively acidity, this tasty Chardonnay is ripe, full-flavored, and long
in the finish. Drink it over the next three years.
Jay Miller for The Wine Advocate
Columbia Valley 2007
92 points
Supple, generous, focused and appealing for its layers of cherry,
raspberry, tobacco and spice flavors, lingering easily on the
polished finish. Delivers depth and distinction. Merlot, Cabernet
Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Drink now
through 2015.
Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator
Columbia Valley 2007
91 points
Supple, refined and beautifully focused, playing its cherry,
raspberry, currant and fallen leaf aromas and flavors on a sleek
frame, allowing the finish to roll on easily. Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Drink now
through 2017.
Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator
Columbia Valley 2006
91 points
Smooth, polished and generous with its layers of currant, plum
and white pepper aromas and flavors, with a whiff of herbs.
Persists easily into the
long, deftly balanced finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2014.
Harvey Steiman for Wine Spectator
Ratings and reviews of recent consulting projects:
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