It is my great pleasure to introduce the beautiful wines of Doubleback, one of the jewels of the Walla Walla Valley. Doubleback was founded by 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. For many years Drew had 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. It was back in 2007 that Drew returned to Walla Walla to plant his estate vineyard, McQueen on the southern end of the Walla Walla Valley AVA.
It was back in 2008 that Bledsoe 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 great people you will meet in Washington wine. He also makes some scintillating wines.
Do not miss out on the gorgeous 2023 Doubleback Merlot (OB, 96) which is up there with the best that I have had this year. is a simply marvelous effort that is already drinking beautifully now. Somehow just as good as the ’21, the 2022 Doubleback ‘Reserve’ Red Wine (OB, 99) is a hedonistic beast that really needs some bottle age — but the potential is there. 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.
2023 Bledsoe | McDaniels ‘LFG’ Pinot Noir- A 2023 ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ bottling, the 2023 ‘LFG’ opens with a gorgeous bouquet of potpourri alongside white pepper dusted orange zest, red currants and shades of cardamom. The palate is plush and lithe with a gorgeous sense of texture and underlying verve. Very big and bold, coming up lush and fat on the tongue, enjoy this beauty over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94
2023 Doubleback Merlot- The 2023 Doubleback Merlot mainly is sourced from the Schafer vineyard in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. 9% Cabernet Franc was blended in, as this was stored in 65% new French oak barrels before bottling. This is big, broad-shouldered and bold, with pencil lead notes that combine with Black Forest cake, espresso grounds and shades of black licorice on the palate. Terrific stuff to enjoy in its heady youth, savor this beauty now and over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2025-2042- 96
2022 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon- The dazzling 2022 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from near equal parts McQueen and LeFore vineyards. It was stored in roughly 70% new French oak barrels prior to bottling and comes off bold on the nose with rocky soils, violets, tar and sweet pipe tobacco aromatics that all meld in the glass. The palate is sinfully good in terms of weight, viscosity and concentration, with great herbal, chocolate, Arabica bean and green herbal accents. A complete wine that is truly one of the best Doublebacks that I have tasted since this winery’s inception, enjoy this heavyhitter now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2025-2045- 97
2023 Doubleback ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine combines fruit from the Schafer Vineyard (48%), in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, as well as a large portion from the McQueen Vineyard (45%), with the remainder coming from their estate in the Rocks District. Nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Petite Verdot blended in, this delvers ultra-dark black rose petals on the nose with violets, black tea and Asian spices that mingle well with green bell pepper, dark chocolate shavings and shades of scorched earth on this intoxicating bouquet. The palate is dense, dark and brooding, with crazy good acidity and finesse, as well as a pillowy texture. A world-class made in a somewhat difficult, cooler vintage, enjoy this total stunner now and over the next twenty plus years. Give it another year in the bottle if you can. Drink 2026-2049- 99