MARK RYAN WINERY | The Dissident | Red Wine | 2019
cabernet sauvignon | merlot | cabernet franc | petit verdot
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Established in 1999 in Woodinville by Mark Ryan McNeilly, the Mark Ryan Winery quickly established itself as one of the most promising companies in Washington state, that has grown to international recognition, being famous for its high-quality wines. Mark Ryan McNeilly is a self-taught winemaker, having crushed and produced his first vintages in garages of friends and family.
Today’s wine hardly requires any introduction, as it is one of the most recognizable wine labels from the Washington State, USA – The Dissident Red Wine 2019 by Mark Ryan Winery. This wine is a harmonious blend of 4 grape varieties: cabernet sauvignon (58%), merlot (35%), along with bits of cabernet franc (6%) and petit verdot (1%), where cabernet sauvignon forms the wine’s main body and structure, merlot builds a more refined and ample mid-palate, while the remaining grape varieties contribute to a leaner and more dynamic finish. Wine blending is part art and part science, which takes years to master, as the winemakers has to use a combination of technical skills, laboratory analysis and wine tasting in order to achieve the desired results. The grapes for this wine were sourced from the estate’s best vineyards in Columbia Valley, (namely Klipsun, Ciel du Cheval, Obelisco, Red Willow, Quintessence, Phinny Hill, Olsen, Stanton, Henry Earl and Discovery), and in order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity to the final blend, the wine has been aged for 18 months in french oak barriques, from which 74% new oak. But enough with all that theory, that said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:
//Visual
color: deep & dark ruby color
clarity: hazy & noble ruby shades
//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced & explosive
fruit character: ripe & overripe
The wine’s opening nose is bold, explosive and fruit-forward. A burst of ripe black fruits dominates the foreground, with notes of juicy blackcurrants, dark cherries and black plums that verge on the overripe side. Hints of jammy sweetness peek through as well, suggesting a touch of concentrated fruit character. Woven throughout these primary layers are nuanced hints of oak, with a touch of coconut, vanilla and nutmeg, thus increasing the wine’s overall aromatic complexity. In the background, a wave of warming spice emerges, offering hints of peppercorn, cloves and anise. This intriguing bouquet suggests a wine with an accent on bold fruit, supported by a touch of oak influence and jammy sweetness.
//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: crisp & rich
The wine’s palate mirrors the nose, delivering a wave of ripe and almost overripe black fruit flavors. The exuberant acidity cuts through the richness of the fruit, thus keeping the wine crisp and fresh. Some notable oak influence comes through more prominently, adding touches of vanilla and baking spice alongside the overripe fruit. The tannins are ripe and quite grippy, providing structure without being overwhelming, however, a pronounced touch of alcoholic warmth becomes more apparent on the palate, lingering slightly through the finish. Despite the heady warmth that throws off the wine’s balance a bit, the aftertaste is surprisingly crisp and rich, echoing the jammy fruit character from the nose.
//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or in the next 2 or 3 years
verdict: great | a must try wine | a wine that has all the traits to become legendary
Overall, this wine unveils a quite bold and fruit-forward character, overflowing with aromas of ripe to overripe black fruits, accented by a nuanced oak influence and hints of warming spice. Despite its complex flavor profile and well structured body, a touch of heady warmth disrupts the wine’s overall balance. This is a flamboyant, New World-styled wine blend that leans heavily on the overripe expressivity of the fruit and that noticeable oak presence. While explosive and rich, it currently lacks the elegance and finesse one might expect from a masterfully crafted Columbia Valley wine blend.
//Scoring
MARK RYAN WINERY | The Dissident | Red Wine | 2019
variety: cabernet sauvignon | merlot | cabernet franc | petit verdot
country: USA
region: Washington State | Columbia Valley
rating: 94.0
//Prediction
predicted rating: 90+
actual rating: 91
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This is definitely a great wine of USA and, with a total of 94.0 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.
Pairing: Judging by the wine’s bold character and pronounced oak influence, we believe that it requires a pairing that can elevate the wine’s rich and bold flavors. Our suggestion would be to pair it with classic american barbeque, like for example a grilled ribeye steak. The smoky flavors of steak and its juicy tenderness will counter-balance the wine’s power, while the firm and grippy structure of the wine would stand up beautifully to the meat’s robustness. In the same key, the exuberant acidity in the wine will cut lovely through the richness of the meat, while the heady warmth will add depth and enhance the charred flavors of the grilled steak, thus creating a mesmerizing symphony of complex flavors. Enjoy!
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© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation.
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By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
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WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.
By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.
You may now support us by contributing with a monthly donation so that we can review even more wines.
WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.
By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.
You may now support us by contributing with a yearly donation so that we can review even more wines.
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