Mark Ryan Winery 'Long Haul' Red Blend 2022

Winemaking

Mark Ryan has built a reputation for crafting serious, age-worthy blends from Columbia Valley fruit, focusing on careful fruit selection and measured oak treatment. His approach emphasizes balance and structure over extraction, allowing the vineyard's natural character to express itself through the blend rather than overwhelming it with new wood or heavy-handed tannins.

Tasting Notes

Long Haul opens with inviting aromas of dark cherry and black plum layered with cassis, while subtle oak spice and leather add complexity without dominating the bouquet. On the palate, ripe dark fruit flavors are supported by well-integrated tannins and a whisper of cocoa, creating a structured yet refined mouthfeel that feels effortless rather than austere. The finish is long and elegant, trailing off with echoes of dark fruit and a mineral spine that suggests this wine will develop beautifully over the next several years.

Producer

Mark Ryan Winery is a smaller, hands-on producer in the Walla Walla area focused on small-lot winemaking and meticulous vineyard partnerships throughout Washington's best sites. The house is known for restraint and aging potential—wines built for the cellar that reward patience without requiring it immediately.

Terroir

Columbia Valley, Washington's largest and most diverse appellation, benefits from a continental climate with warm days and cool nights that allow for extended ripening and excellent acid retention. The region's varied soil composition—volcanic basalt, loess, and glacial deposits—contributes to the mineral character and structural complexity that defines quality Washington Cabernet blends.

Food Pairings

This wine pairs beautifully with herb-crusted lamb chops or a pan-seared duck breast with cherry gastrique, where the wine's structure and subtle spice complement the richness without overwhelming the protein. For a more casual setting, it's equally at home with a well-seasoned burger topped with crispy bacon and sharp cheddar, where the wine's ripe fruit and tannin balance shine.