2020 Mark Ryan Long Haul Ciel du Cheval Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2020 Long Haul is mostly Merlot, blending with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The nose wafts with soft herbs intertwined with dusty plums and sage notes. On the palate, it is full-bodied with succulent flavors of red plum and black raspberry and a soft, savory essence before concluding with a mineral-laced finish. It aged 21 months in 54% new French oak. 1,869 cases produced.
Critic scores
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Jeb Dunnuck
Eric Guido, Vinous
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A more Merlot-dominated wine, the 2020 Long Haul comes from Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun, and Red Willow vineyards and is 71% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, and smaller doses of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. It's a pure, balanced, medium to full-bodied beauty offering lots of mulled red and black cherry fruits, some spice, chocolate, and herbal undertones, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Beautifully done, this is an elegant, balanced 2020 to enjoy over the coming 10-12 years.
The 2020 Red Wine Long Haul is a Merlot heavy (71%) blend rounded out with 19% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. It's perfumed in the glass with a mix of dried flowers, wild berries and exotic spices. This has a juicy persona with ripe red and blue fruits carried across a core of vibrant acidity. Clove and blueberry skin notes linger long as the 2019 tapers off with admirable length yet spry.