Category Archives: Bordeaux Blends

Hail to the Chief (and the Dissident): Mark Ryan Reds = Fourth Favorites

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Happy 250th Birthday, America! You’re looking good on your semiquincentennial! 😎🇺🇸

Without getting too political…. Ha!

If you know me personally, you know I’m rather averse to politics becoming the topic of conversation. Sure, I have my own opinions and viewpoints, but I find that bringing them up and dying on their hill is not how I want to spend my time. Some people love to debate and they thrive on the energy of intense and spirited arguing, but for me it just makes me anxious, annoyed, etc. Perhaps it was the many years of political talk radio my parents had on ALL THE TIME that has turned me off, and most certainly all the media of the last several decades that has made it nutty.

I suppose I am just very practical, because I know merely talking about issues doesn’t actually accomplish anything, even though open debate is part of how problems get solved. People are entitled to their personal opinions, but I find that engaging in trite political arguments often further divides.

With Independence Day only a mere day away, it’s time to get serious about what we’re drinking for the upcoming holiday. And as it’s our country’s 250th birthday, the occasion calls for something especially delicious.

Today I’ve got two wines that will command your salute, evoke a sense of patriotism, and at least make you smile at their political connotations: The Chief, and The Dissident! 🙂

If you are barbecuing or grilling anything, these are two delicious Washington red blends at different price points from the same winemaker that will go with just about everything.

(And even if they don’t go *seamlessly* with your food, who cares? The wine is the point here, not the pairing. Just drink it already.)

I have tasted at Mark Ryan Winery in both Woodinville and Walla Walla, although it has been a long time since I have done so. I did recently have a glass of The Chief Red Blend while out to dinner in Tacoma. It did not disappoint so I think my recommendations still hold valid, even if it has been a minute since I’ve tasted some of the other wines. 😉

If you are a fan of Washington red blends or at least trying to familiarize yourself with Washington wine, you need to know and taste from Mark Ryan Winery for sure. School may be out until September, but your wine homework assignment over the summer is to try one or both of these bottles (no essay required, though. That would be mean). Think you can handle it? Good!

*Please note that there will be slight variations in each vintage’s composition and character. The vintage is the year the grapes were harvested and made into wine. Certain vintages reviewed here may or may not be available any more, but newer vintages of the wine are available.

Mark Ryan Winery The Chief Red Wine Blend

  • Retails for $19.97 at Total Wine & More. Your bargain bottle.
  • For $20 this is a boss wine. This wine has all the aroma and flavor notes of a much pricier bold red blend, but’s it’s just as heavy, rich, and luxurious. A favorite go-to Washington red I happily recommend to you!
  • From Total Wine tasting notes: “Outstanding complexity, with aromas of red currant, cigar box and toasty caramel. The palate is mouth-fillingly rich with a core of black cherry, raspberry and cocoa.”
  • Total Wine labels it as a red blend, but it does contain over 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, so the winery can legally list that on the label.
  • This wine is in the Mark Ryan Board Track Racer portfolio of wines, which are high quality yet budget-friendly wines intended to be consumed upon release.
  • The 2023 vintage, which was just released and retails for $25/bottle on markryanwinery.com, received 94 points from wine critic James Suckling! 
  • I’d say he’s nailed it!

Mark Ryan The Dissident 2022

  • (Yes, that is a Pearl Jam reference – a gold star for you!) 😉
  • $45/bottle on wine.com and markryanwinery.com
  • A little more moola, but still not too terrible, and once you taste it you’ll understand why it’s worth it
  • 2022 Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot
  • Winemaker Notes: “Opens with complex and inviting aromas of dark fruits, violets, crème de cassis, leather, black cherry, dried herbs and baking spice. On the palate, full-bodied and richly textured with dark cherry, ripe plum, and red currant flavors. Fresh acidity and elegant, polished tannins integrate seamlessly from the mid-palate through the incredibly lengthy finish.”

So, grab both bottles for your Independence Day celebration. Because when the conversation veers into politics, you can at least wander off and enjoy some superb Washington wine. And thank God that even with flaw and failure on both sides of the aisle, we still enjoy so many freedoms and blessings in this amazing country.

Now that is something political I really can get behind.

Happy Independence Day, and God Bless America! May your fireworks be loud (or quiet – whatever you prefer), and may your wine glass/Solo cup* be filled with only the great stuff today. 🙂 🇺🇸

*(In which case, make the effort and use a wine glass – it will taste so much better, I promise you.)

Deux Bordeaux de Costco: A Tribute to My Father

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Happy New Year, my Rambling Vine readers! I apologize for my long absence. I miss chatting about wines with you, so I’m picking up right now where I left off, because life is short and there are too many definitive wines to be tasted and told about.

This past summer was beautiful and filled with many wonderful things, but it also brought me a life-sucking case of pneumonia (I had rattling lungs while I was writing my last couple posts early in June), followed by the sudden and unexpected passing of my father in August, and then bronchitis a few days after that. It was all I could do just trying to physically heal, grieve, do even a fraction of the bare minimum, and help support my stepmother who was immediately forced to make some big life changes.

It has been devastating and rough and traumatizing.

I have never been quite as physically and then emotionally sapped as I have been these past few months. But God is faithful and He is seeing me through this. I am doing better even as the reality of my dad’s loss is really starting to set in.

I thought in honor of my lovely dad I would share with you a couple of Bordeaux wines – one that my dad gave to me as part of my Christmas present one year, and one I picked on a whim at Costco. Both wines are 2020 vintages and were bought at Costco, where my Dad was a huge customer. I smile when I recall how much he loved Yellow Tail Australian Chardonnay, but also the expensive Napa Cabs he got me a couple different times that I barely shared with anyone else because they were so mind-blowingly, earth-shatteringly good.

So, the first one from my Dad was the 2020 Kirkland Signature Bordeaux Supérieur. Apparently Bordeaux Supérieur wines do have higher standards for quality above regular Bordeaux appellation wines. This was an outstanding wine that did not taste like its price range; I was shocked when I learned it retailed for only about $7/bottle. It’s possible this low price is due to high supply and lower demand. If you can find this and you like it, it’s WELL WORTH buying by the case.
2020 Kirkland Signature Bordeaux Supérieur

  • $6.99/bottle from Costco (approximately, price may vary)
  • 14% ABV
  • 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot
  • Aged in French oak for 12 months
  • “deep ruby in color, with a good tannic structure and supple palate. The nose is complex with black fruits, black currant and woody notes.”
  • According to Vins de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur wines are more concentrated, complex, and powerful than most AOC Bordeaux

The Bordeaux blend I took a chance on and that paid off was the 2020 Dame de Boüard from the Montagne Saint-Émilion region. Blends from this Bordeaux appellation use Merlot heavily but also Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

2020 Dame de Boüard

  • $12.59/bottle from Costco when I purchased it in 2023
  • Deep, dark, gorgeous opaque ruby
  • Aromas that explode out of the glass: smoke, spice, meats, black currants, red plum, blackberry, blueberry, chocolate, licorice/anise, incense/something sweet. I may have picked up a little bell pepper from the Cabernet Franc in the blend.
  • Dry, warm from the 14.5% ABV
  • Medium body, not a lot of midpalate structure – decanting/aerating helped
  • Light tannins (very muted and in background)
  • Moderate acidity
  • Enchanting and lush
  • The back label calls these wines “delicious, appealing, elegant wines with lovely balance and rich silky tannin.”

As you can see, you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy excellent Bordeaux. There are many incredible wines to be had at a great deal. The main thing to keep in mind with affordable Bordeaux is that poor vintages happen (years with bad weather). My husband and I had a $10 Bordeaux blend we loved (basically, it was the only one we could remember!) that was amazing certain years but then from another year it was nothing to write home about. Probably worth chatting with your wine steward or doing a little online research before purchasing.

I loved both of these wines and would happily uncork them again. They remind me of my Dad, and how much we both enjoyed having a nice glass of wine with a great meal, usually grilled steak or salmon from Costco.

Dad, you are so missed. Every time I try a great wine I think how much you would have loved it. There were still too many wines we had yet to enjoy together here on earth. But I know that even your absolute lifetime favorite doesn’t compare to heaven’s stores. Until we meet again. ❤