🇺🇸 NumbSkull BDX Red Blend Columbia Valley 2021

Cabernet-led, dark-fruited, and unapologetically plush, this is your “pour me something serious” bottle. NumbSkull BDX 2021 brings Columbia Valley muscle with enough polish to still look good in low light.

Wine Description 

NumbSkull BDX 2021 is a Columbia Valley Bordeaux-style red blend from Mark Ryan Winery, built around Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot in the mix. It’s the kind of red that smells like you meant business, then drinks like you actually know what you’re doing. 

The winery’s own notes call out blackberry, plum, chocolate, and vanilla, with toasted oak and a plush finish, and yes, that checks out for a Cabernet-dominant blend with real barrel time. This is a full-bodied, crowd-pleasing red that doesn’t need a lecture to be impressive. 

The Vibe 

Date-night red with “I’m fine” energy, except you’re not fine, you’re thriving, and your glass is doing the flirting for you. This is the bottle you open when the playlist gets better and the group chat gets quieter.

What it tastes like

Think dark berries and ripe plum up front, then cocoa, vanilla, and that toasty oak thing that makes your brain go “steakhouse,” even if you’re eating takeout. It finishes plush and warm, with the kind of structure that says it can hang for a while. 

Pairing + When to drink it 

Pour it with steak, burgers, short ribs, lamb, or mushrooms that actually saw a pan, and you’ll look like a genius without trying. Drink it now with a quick decant if you like it smoother, or stash a few bottles if you want the edges to keep relaxing.

Quick Specs (bullets)

• Producer: Mark Ryan Winery

• Region/Appellation: Columbia Valley (Washington) 

• Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon (78%), Merlot (10%), Malbec (6%), Petit Verdot (6%) 

• Vintage: 2021

• Winemaking/Aging: 21 months in barrel; 28% new oak and 72% used oak

• ABV: 14.7% 

• Bottle size: 750 ml

Critic Reviews

• Wine Enthusiast: 91 points

  • Reviewed vintage: 2020 (not 2021)

  • Date: Issue Date 7/1/2023 

  • Excerpt: Floral tones lead, with silky texture and flavors that move from dark plum into chocolate. 

Bottle of Mark Ryan Winery NumbSkull BDX Red Blend Columbia Valley 2021

FAQs

Q: What kind of wine is NumbSkull BDX 2021?
A: A Bordeaux-style red blend from Columbia Valley, led by Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. 

Q: What is the alcohol content of NumbSkull BDX 2021?
A: 14.7% ABV per the producer tech sheet. 

Q: Does NumbSkull BDX 2021 see oak aging?
A: Yes, it’s aged 21 months in barrel, using a mix of new and used oak. 

Q: What foods pair well with this wine?
A: Rich meats, grilled dishes, and savory mushroom-forward plates tend to pair best with Cabernet-led red blends like this.