2006 Mark Ryan Long Haul
Black cherries and baking spices infuse the aroma of this wine and fill it with power. With some time in the glass these are joined by subtle notes of herbs together with floral notes. This is a very structured wine: a full body is matched by tannins that continue to assert themselves a decade after the vintage. Intense flavours of blackberry, black cherry and plum get support from notes of mocha, allspice and a hint of leafiness. Everything here is dialed up but in proportion allowing the wine to carry its heft with good balance. Delicious now but years of life left. 48% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, all sourced from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, among the very top sites in Washington State.
Excellent+
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2006 Molly Dooker Blue-Eyed Boy Shiraz
It is difficult to do a proper tasting note on a wine like this. TNs need to be objective evaluations of a wine’s quality, not just a recounting of the tasters personal preferences. This behemoth of a wine had tons of super-ripe flavor (blackberries and blueberries) and a nose to match. Definitely striving for a push the envelope style, it came across as out of balance to us. The fruit screamed so loudly you could not pick up any subtle nuances or complexity. The body was so full that it resembled a blueberry milkshake. And there was a quite notable heat from the alcohol. Simply too much for us, but we can see other palates taking a different view, if they like that style.
Good+
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Trotanoy (pronounced trot-an-wah) sits atop the plateau in Pomerol, the small appellation of Bordeaux’s Right Bank, known for making tiny quantities of Bordeaux’s finest (and often, most expensive) red wines. Like its neighbours, Petrus, Lafleur and Le Pin, it makes stunningly rich and complex wines that will age for an eternity and are extremely difficult to acquire.
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2011 The Hilt Pinot Noir The Vanguard
The Hilt is a Santa Barbara County winery created by the people from the highly successful Jonata Winery. They do two Pinots: The Old Guard from older vines and The Vanguard from younger vines. Fruit for this cuvee was sourced from three of the finest vineyards in Santa Barbara County: Solomon Hills, Sanford and Benedict and Bien Nacido. Dark red with little fade at the rim. Very fragrant nose that gives up black cherries, raspberries and brown spices. After some swirling hints of vanilla and cream soda poke through. Definitely a bigger wine, with full body, it retains balance and does not fall into that “Syrah lovers Pinot” style that some from the Central Coast can. Power and elegance combined in the right proportions. The finish is long and spicy with just a bit of tannin. Can drink now or hold for another 5+ years.
Excellent – $64 tax-in at BC Liquor stores. This is particularly good value for the quality. The 2012 release is out and sells for $99
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2004 Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards Right Bank
Made up of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, this wine showed big fruit, solid structure and is drinking well now but could easily go much longer. Great complexity with notes of black cherry, plum, stewed fruits and vegetal notes combined with earth, spice and herbs. A powerful but balanced wine with a nice acidity on its wonderfully long finish.
Excellent+
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2006 Mark Ryan Long Haul
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