A bigger, more structured and slightly more rustic wine, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Lonely Heart (89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot) offers up decadently styled notions of black currants, spice box, graphite, coffee grinds and dusty minerality on the nose. This flows to a full-bodied, chewy, tannic and mouth-filling Cabernet that needs 3-4 years of bottle age and will have 15 years or more of longevity. While I like the texture and overall elegance of the Dead Horse more, there’s no denying the overall quality here and it will dish out loads of pleasure once the tannins integrate. Drink 2016-2028.
An estate that’s getting up into the creme de la creme of Washington State producers, Mark Ryan Winery was founded by Mark Ryan McNeilly in 1999. Mark now gets assistance in the winemaking from the talented Mike MacMorran (of Manu Propria and Force Majeure), and the wines have overall classical profiles, with bright acidity and tannin, that never lack for fruit or depth. If you haven’t tried these wines, now is great time to check them out.
www.markryanwinery.com