One of the outstanding producers of Cabernet Sauvignon in Washington, Doubleback is the storied project founded by NFL legend, Drew Bledsoe and his wife, Maura. Drew has circled back following his brilliant career. Originally from Walla Walla, he was a star at Walla Walla High School before his illustrious tenure at Washington State University. Drew has visions of starting his own winery for many years and going back to Walla Walla was the perfect choice for him. During his years in the NFL he continued to expand his palate, trying various wines of the world. But there was something special about wines from his home state, as he grew to love the balance of the wines of this region that weren’t old world but also weren’t Napa.
Drew returned to Walla 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 friend and superstar winemaker, Chris Figgins, of Leonetti Cellar, who served as consulting winemaker until Josh McDaniels assumed the role in 2015. Josh has done an incredible job with this program and his new releases were some of the best ever.
I adored his 2018 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 96) which shows impeccable balance and a seamless texture. This is the second time I have tried this wine and I was blown away each time. I was totally enamored by their 2018 Doubleback ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine (OB, 97) which is even more dense and intense, really needing a few years of bottle age to unlock this hedonistic monster of a wine. Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.doubleback.com/ Here are the gorgeous new 2021 spring release wines by Doubleback.
2018 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon-It has now been several months since I first visited this wine seated with Josh McDaniels. He opened the 2018 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon with a twinkle in his eye and admitted that he felt this is the finest rendition of this wine yet. He has blended in 5% Malbec and 5% Merlot to this outstanding, inky-colored wine. Needing an hour in the decanter to be fully aroused, this shows really good aromatic range from sagebrush, violets and dark chocolate covered espresso bean to exotic spices and tar tones that are woven together in the glass. The palate is silky and elegant, with an incredible texture and soft mouthfeel. This seamlessly glides across the mid-palate, delivering rich boysenberry cordial, mocha, anise and creme de cassis tones alongside creosote and graphite tones. The length is exceedingly good. A standout bottling, the 2018 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well for many decades. Be sure to give this a very long decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2022-2040- 96
2018 Doubleback ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine- The thrilling 2018 ‘Estate Reserve’ is a gorgeous blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon with 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Malbec that was sourced from the McQueen and Before vineyards. The wine was aged in a combination of French oak and Italian concrete vessels prior to bottling. The heady aromatics entice with creme de cassis, tar, blueberry compote, and exotic spices with dark chocolate all giving this an exotic edge. The palate is deep and intense with a massive core of dark fruits alongside blueberry pie, creme de violette, cassis, anise, dark chocolate covered espresso bean and sandalwood tones. The combination of power and precision makes a wine that has both an Aston Martin interior and a Ferrari 350 Modena engine. This really needs a couple of years to show its full potential. If you can’t hold off trying this beautiful wine, be sure to give this a three plus hour decant. Drink 2024-2050- 97