Today we share an outstanding producer of Oregon wine. Bledsoe | McDaniels is a new Oregon wine project from this Walla Walla mainstay. For many years Josh McDaniels wanted to make Oregon Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A few years back there was a really exciting development with their purchasing of a new vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills which they have named their estate ‘Coulee Vineyard.’ This site has 29 acres planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, set on Saum-Parrett, Woodburn soils.
The new wines by McDaniels were beautiful across the board. I love the new 2021 Bledsoe | McDaniels ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is deep and concentrated with a seamless texture. Even better is the stunning 2021 Bledsoe | McDaniels ‘Lefore Vineyard’ Syrah (OB, 96) which shows beautiful Rocks character with amazing flavor range and a smooth mouthfeel. I have also included my reviews of the Bledsoe Family Wines and 2021 Doubleback Chardonnay (OB, 96) which is arguably the finest Chardonnay you will find in Washington. Learn more about this outstanding winery project at http://bledsoemcdaniels.com/#top Here are the beautiful new wines by Bledsoe | McDaniels.
2021 Bledsoe | McDaniels ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The brilliant and very juicy 2021 Bledsoe McDaniels ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir comes from the Ribbon Ridge and Eola-Amity Hills AVAs. Smooth and soft on the mouth, this delivers loads of bright red fruits that parade with allspice, kumquat zest and shades of salty soils on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2023-2035- 94
2021 Bledsoe | McDaniels ‘Coulee Estate’ Pinot Noir- This is the first version of this wine that is sourced from their estate vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills that is a windy site set on broken basalt. Stored in all new French oak, this saw 50% whole cluster fermentation. The wine comes off as wonderfully earthy on the nose, with red rose petals and black truffle shavings that mingle well with orange peel and shades of freshly tilled salty soils. The palate shows a world-class purity of red fruit flavors. Think pomegranate seed, guava and bright red cherry flavors that meld with the lovely earthy, stony and salty nuances of the wine. Drink 2023-2038- 96
2021 Bledsoe | McDaniels ‘LFG’ Red Wine- An exceptional Pinot Noir stored in 35% new French oak for 17 months prior to bottling. Juicy red fruits combine with baking spices, wet gravel and suggestions of tangerine zest on the palate. Neatly textured, enjoy this forward and delicious wine now. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2021 Bledsoe | McDaniels ‘McQueen Vineyard’ Syrah- The highly novel 2021 ‘McQueen Syrah’ comes from this very small amount of Syrah plantings in this vineyard. The wine was stored in 50% new French oak before bottling. Wonderfully inky in the glass, this offers serious aromatic range with violets, smoked brisket, tar and black licorice notes that combine with shades of coffee grounds on the nose. The palate is dense and heady with a bright underlying acidity that combine with the core of juicy black fruit flavors. Finishing long with copious minerals, this beautifully textured Syrah will surely live on for another fifteen years to come. This is really impossible to resist stuff right now in its vibrant youth. Drink 2023-2038- 95
2021 Bledsoe | McDaniels ‘LeFore Vineyard’ Syrah- Years ago when I was tasting with Drew Bledsoe and Josh McDaniels, I tasted Syrah from this site that was being blended into another Syrah. Because the wine from this Rocks location was so good, I was able to convince Josh and Drew to make a single vineyard expression that comes from the LeFore Vineyard. This 2021 edition displays a knockout nose, ranging from umami, bacon fat, allspice dusted black fruits and suggestions of milk chocolate with green olive tapenade. The palate is soft and inviting with a seamless texture and glorious sense of weight. For my palate, this is the best edition of this wine yet. It’ll live on for another decade but I see no reason to cellar this total heavyhittter of a wine. Drink 2023-2033- 96
2022 Bledsoe Family Wines ‘Healy’ Rose- The 2022 ‘Healy’ Rose comes from Walla Walla Valley Syrah grapes. It is downright dazzling in the glass, with its verve and levels of tension. Tart raspberry and cranberry notes combine with citrus blossom, and shades of wild mushroom on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next five years. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2021 Doubleback Chardonnay- A downright ebullient bottling, the 2021 Doubleback Chardonnay once again enshrines itself in the upper echelon of Pacific Northwest Chardonnay. A golden color dawns the glass, as the 2021 Doubleback Chardonnay saw extended battonage before bottling. Speaking with winemaker Josh McDaniels last summer, he mentioned how this wine is one of his favorite projects. The palate is utterly seamless, showing tremendous depth, concentration and underlying finesse, as this glides throughout the drinking experience. Buttered French bread, marzipan and salted cashew nut flavors with hints of bananas foster. This really needs to be served at a warmer temperature to take in the full scintillating range of flavors and aromatics. Do not miss out on this very Kongsgaard meets Washington Chardonnay wine. Drink 2023-2033- 96
2022 Bledsoe Family Wines ‘Elizabeth’ Chardonnay- Delicious and juicy with its vibrant minerality, the 2022 ‘Elizabeth’ Chardonnay offers bright pear, peach and green apple notes on the palate, with salty and lemon-vanilla cream accents. Medium-bodied, and chalk-filled with finesse, enjoy now and over the next five plus years. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2021 Bledsoe Family Wines ‘Stolen Horse’ Syrah- The 2021 ‘Stolen Horse’ Syrah is a glass-staining purple, showing violets, black currants and shades of green olive tapenade on the nose. The palate is fresh and shows good tension with ripe dark cherry, huckleberry and garrigue undertones. Enjoy this medium-bodied effort now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 92