Mark Ryan Long Haul 2019

Drink it now or cellar for 15-20 years. It is recommended to decant it for half an hour.

Located in Washington State, the Mark Ryan winery was founded by Mark Ryan McNeilly in 1999 with the intent of producing great wines in limited quantities. Specialized in AVA Red Mountain wines, the grapes are selected from the most sought-after vineyards in Horse Heaven Hills, Yakima Valley, and Columbia Valley.

The Long Haul is mainly composed of Merlot grapes from the Red Mountain and Yakima Valley areas. The vines from Quintessence Vineyard on Red Mountain are quite young and the grapes from this vineyard bring intense aromas and flavors and incredible strength. The grapes selected in the Red Willow Vineyard, on the other hand, come from more mature plants (about 25 years old) and add concentration of flavors and good complexity to the wine.

This is a wine with a deep dark red color. The nose offers a good intensity of aromas of dark fruits and mulberry. On the palate, the fruity flavors are joined by characteristic notes of oak and delicate nuances of sweet spices. It is a full-bodied Merlot with soft tannins and balanced acidity. The finish is long and pleasant with notes of dark fruit. It is a wine that can be enjoyed now or kept in the cellar for years. Try it with duck or goose.