2013 Ex Animo by

Wine Advocate

We are particularly fortunate to be one of only a handful of Washington wineries selected every year since our inception by Jeb Dunnuck for a personal visit and barrel tasting.

Wine Advocate Preview: 92 Points

“Tasted out of the bottle, the 2013 Ex Animo (92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Merlot) reveals a healthy ruby/purple color as well as textbook Cabernet notes of blackcurrants, coffee beans, smoked earth and leafy herbs. Medium to full-bodied, ripe, textured and with beautiful purity of fruit (which is a hallmark of all the wines from Mike), it will have 10-15 years of longevity.”

and from past vintages….

“There’s loads of potential here and at the price, it represents a solid value. This up-and-coming estate is one to watch! Drink 2014-2021. Owned/run by Mike Macmorran (of Mark Ryan Winery) and releasing their first vintage in 2010, this is a serious estate that produces classic, age-worthy wines. They also represent solid value and are worth tracking down!”

 

Wine Advocate: 2010 Ex Animo

92 Points.     …it offers classic Cabernet black currant and tobacco to go with background aromas of brambly herbs, licorice, black pepper and mineral on the nose. This leads to a full-bodied, concentrated and rich 2010 that has solid mid-palate depth, good acidity, and a chewy, tannic finish that delivers surprising length. Certainly an outstanding bottle of wine, it will be even better in another year or three and have over a decade of prime drinking…this is a serious estate that produces classic, age-worthy wines. They also represent solid value and are worth tracking down! –Jeb Dunnuck

Washington Wine Report: 2010 Ex Animo

4 1/2 Stars (Excellent/Exceptional).     Quite a unique wine for Washington — I can’t think of another like it — that leans more toward the Old World than the New, but is still also distinctly Washington. A steal at $35… –Sean Sullivan   READ MORE

Seattle Magazine: 2010 Ex Animo

Best Cabernet Sauvignon of the Yakima Valley AVA.     This luscious wine has elements of bittersweet chocolate, dark black fruit, dried herbs, pepper and leather — a beautiful representation of one of Yakima Valley’s classic vineyards…    READ MORE

Seattle Magazine: Manu Propria

Best New Washington Winery.     The wines are intense and rich, much in the style of wines he is making at Mark Ryan Winery…it’s an intense but elegant wine with  aromas and flavors of blackberry and bramble, black pepper, black olive, and a floral note to lighten up all the dark aromas, with fine tannins and a long, lush finish that is a beautiful representation of this iconic vineyard… – Shannon Borg   READ MORE

Seattle Met: 2010 Ex Animo

Best Washington Wines 2013: RISING STAR     …poised to make a significant impact on the state in years to come… READ MORE

Winefoot: 2010 Ex Animo

 110%     Gorgeous flavors of forest floor, bramble, raspberry, leather, blackened tobacco, cedar, cherries, and dark chocolate. A nearly sublime combination of fruit, acid and mouth feel that culminate into a finish that hangs out for months…a ridiculously great wine for the money… – Duane Pemberton  READ MORE

Impulse Wine: 2010 Ex Animo

 

The wine is showy yet delicate…reaching further in, you can grasp at notes of cigar box and tobacco, hints of anise, and a touch of leather, letting you know that there’s more to come should you have endurance enough to cellar this wine. – Yashar Shayan  READ MORE

Rand Sealy’s Review of WA Wines: 2010 Ex Animo

19 out of 20

An impressive debut…the flavors are thick and plush, yet well-structured, wrapped around a deep core…– Rand Sealy   READ MORE

NW Wine Reviews: 2010 Ex Animo

 I’ve found a new Cab that you’ve got to try. It’s unique, filled with character, the personal label of Mark Ryan’s winemaker, from the famed Red Willow Vineyard. And I can’t beleive it’s only $35.  It’s been a long time since an unknown Washington wine lit me up like this….The aromas are unique, arresting, and complex — a tantalizing combination of rich fruit hovering around spice and earth, leather and cured olive. Like a bubble bursting in your mouth, the intense purple berries pop, then expand into plum and deeper into cassis, finishing with cracked pepper, tobacco, and a hint of sweet dark cherry. Fantastically balanced, you can open and drink it today (especially with a quick decant) and I have no doubt it will reward 4-6 years of aging. Like I said, you’ve got to try this. – Marcus Looze   READ MORE