Today we share one of the beautiful houses in the Walla Walla Valley. Doubleback began as a vision of NFL legend, Drew Bledsoe and his wife, Maura. The story completes itself as Drew circled back following his brilliant NFL career. Originally from Walla Walla, he was a star at Walla Walla High School before his illustrious tenure at Washington State University. Drew had planned on starting his winery in his hometown and throughout his NFL career he worked hard to try the wines of the world and expand his palate. He kept on coming back to the wines of Washington State which were somewhere between the old world and Napa. Finally in 2007 that Drew returned to Walla Walla to plant his estate vineyard, McQueen on the southern end of the Walla Walla Valley AVA. They built their Walla Walla winery structure and it is one of the most beautiful spots to taste wine at in the valley, boasting a rooftop deck with sweeping 360 degree views of the valley.
It has now been more than fifteen years that Doubleback was born and in 2008 Drew began focusing on using top estate fruit to make incredible Cabernet Sauvignon from the Walla Walla Valley. 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 is one of the finest talents in the state. The wines that he has made are consistently great, year after year and he has a fantastic winemaking team behind him. Josh is making arguably Washington’s finest Chardonnay. I was once again blown away with the 2022 Doubleback Chardonnay (OB, 97) which is dense yet has fantastic nerve and texture. This is a total stunner. I tried a barrel sample of the 2022 Doubleback ‘Reserve’ Red Wine (OB, 99-100) which is a total masterclass that I can’t wait to see completed. Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.doubleback.com/ and here are my reviews of the gorgeous new 2024 spring release wines by Doubleback.
2022 Bledsoe McDaniels ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Chardonnay- Stored in 205% new French oak, this beautiful 2022 bottling is the first wine from the former Hope Will and now named Coulee Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills. This is big and bold, with serious texture and richness. Honeydew melon, wet stone and Macadamia nut and Pink Lady apple flavors on the palate. Showing serious tension and length, this is beautiful wine that has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2024-2040- 96
2022 Doubleback Chardonnay- Coming from the McQueen and Kenny Hill Vineyards, the 2022 Doubleback Chardonnay is a stunning new wine that follows up the incredible 2021 bottling. This is gorgeous on the nose with roasted pineapple and mango notes alongside beeswax and shades of cardamom. The palate is soft and refined with a seamless drinking experience. This is unbelievably good. Drink 2024-2034- 97
2022 Doubleback ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine (98-100)