2016 Mark Ryan Dead Horse
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Tasting notes
Good ruby-red. Classic varietal scents of cassis, blackberry, violet and tobacco leaf, plus coffee and mocha notes from the new oak. At once deep and refined, spreading out to coat the palate with flavors of dark fruits, herbs, spices and black olive. Very little in the way of obvious pyrazines here. Finishes with suave tannins and lingering notes of berries and mocha. (14.8% alcohol; from numerous Red Mountain sites; aged in 58% new thin-staved barrels)
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Dead Horse Ciel du Cheval Vineyard is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. It jumps from the glass with classic Cabernet aromas of blackberry, crème de cassis and soft savory spices with a beautiful dusty essence of crushed rock. With a clear focus on quality and balance, the complexity lingers with depth on the full-bodied palate, showing a structured wine. Ending with a long, dusty finish, the minerality and freshness of fruit combine with oak tones so the drinker may experience the power and elegance of this wine. Count me as a fan. 2,500 cases produced.
Dark stony aromas with redcurrants and cherries that lead to a very fluid, polished and even-paced palate. Long, enduring dark-fruit flavors here; this has handsomely balanced style. 91% cabernet sauvignon, 4% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Drink or hold.
The inky colored 2016 Dead Horse (91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot) comes all from Red Mountain and it has the more savory, mineral-style of that terroir front and center. Cassis, toasted spice, dried earth, and lead pencil notes all flow to a full-bodied, concentrated, yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignon that does everything right. Even with the Red Mountain structure, it has plenty of upfront charm, which is common from this great vintage. Ideally, it will be given 2-3 years of bottle age and will keep for two decades.