Continuing some great Washington wineries for Washington Wine Month, a winery with prestige, Doubleback was started by former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who grew up in Walla Walla and attended high school there. For many years Drew had wanted to own his own winery following his illustrious career in football. Going back to Walla Walla was the perfect choice for him. Drew returned to Walls Walla in 2007 to plant his estate vineyard, McQueen, on the southern end of the Walla Walla Valley AVA. Doubleback was born in 2008 which would focus on estate fruit to create world class Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla. Drew knew he needed a top class winemaker and connected with childhood friendand superstar winemaker, Chris Figgins, of Leonetti Cellar, who served as consulting winemaker until Josh McDaniels assumed the role in 2015.
I had the great opportunity to sit down with Josh last October and talk wine (http://www.washingtonwineblog.com/blog/2016/10/13/interview-with-josh-mcdaniels-head-winemaker-of-doubleback-and-sweet-valley-wines). Last year’s release, his 2013 Doubleback Cabernet (WWB, 94) found its place on my Top 100 Wines of North America. This years release, the 2014 Doubleback Cabernet (WWB, 94) is every bit as good. While extremely tightly wound and closed, this wine has a massive core, intense tannic structure and dense fruit that will result in a highly age worthy wine. Josh is clearly one of the bright young winemaking talents in Washington state. Learn more about this esteemed winery at http://www.doubleback.com/ Here is my review of there 2014 Doubleback Cabernet.
2014 Doubleback Cabernet- This wine is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with 7% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec which was sourced from the McQueen, Bob Healy, LeFore, Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and Waliser Vineyards. Dense and massive aromatics of black cherry, dried figs, black olive tapenade and hints of creme de cassis. This leads to flavors of creme de cassis, mocha, graphite, sandalwood, blackberry cobbler and suggestions of black olive. Massive tannins line this dense core. This is a beauty. Try to give this another year to settle and for the fruit to better amalgamate as this Cabernet is another spectacular effort by superstar winemaker Josh McDaniels. Drink 2018-2033- 94