Few Washington wine releases are more anticipated than Mark Ryan’s Long Haul and Dead Horse. Both wines are Bordeaux blends from the famed Ciel du Cheval Vineyard on Red Mountain. The Long Haul is Merlot-driven while the Dead Horse is predominantly Cabernet based. Starting in 2005, the winery also added Watch Witch, a cabernet and merlot blend from Klipsun Vineyard, also located on Red Mountain.

This year’s releases are quite simply the best that winemaker Mark Ryan McNeilly has made. While you will want to sit on them for a while, your patience will be rewarded.
Wines:
Score

 Name

 Notes

 $

+

 Mark Ryan Viognier 2007

 A pleasing nose with white peach and mineral notes. Fairly full on the taste with a bit of sharpness on the backend. 13.9% alcohol. 6576 cases produced.

 $29

**

 Mark Ryan Long Haul Ciel du Cheval Vineyard 2006

 A beautiful, expressive nose with lots of intense blackberry, licorice, and floral notes. A full taste that is elegant with soft tannins and lots of fruit. Give 1 to 2 years, although it is drinking well now. 48% Merlot; 46% Cab Franc; 6% Petit Verdot. 14.6% alcohol. 650 cases produced.

 $45

**

 Mark Ryan Water Witch Klipsun Vineyard 2006

 The wine leaps from the glass with lots of spice, dark fruit, and floral notes. This wine is loaded with anise. A great nose. The wine has a big fruit forward taste and gripping tannins wrapped around a black cherry core. Give at least 2 to 3 years. 58% Cabernet; 42% Merlot. 14.3% alcohol. 375 cases produced.

 $45

**

 Mark Ryan Dead Horse Ciel du Cheval Vineyard 2006

 The nose is marked by rich spices, dark fruit, floral aromas, and licorice. The mocha notes are stronger on this wine than the others. A beautiful mouth feel with an almost chalky feel to the tannins. The blackberry on the taste leads to an extended finish. Drinking the best of the three wines right now. 52% Cabernet; 24% Cab Franc; 17% Merlot; 7% Petit Verdot. 14.4% alcohol. 650 cases produced.

$45