Today we share the amazing journey 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. Growing up in Walla Walla, Drew 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. He knew there was something special about this region. 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.
In 2008 that Bledsoe began focusing on using top estate fruit to make 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 is one of the great winemaking talents on the west coast.
I adored the 2023 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which needs at least an hour in the decanter before enjoying now. It is rich and viscous stuff with amazing floral character. Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.doubleback.com/ and here are my reviews of the gorgeous new 2026 spring release wines by Doubleback.
2023 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon- A stunning wine from this warm vintage, the 2023 Doubleback comes from both the McQueen, Schafer and LeFore vineyards. A touch of Malbec was blended in, as this really needs about 1-2 hours of air before enjoying. Once aroused, this is a total beauty. Gorgeous black rose petals fill the nose alongside Arabica bean, creme de violette and tar notes that combine with heady dark fruits. The palate is plush and seamless with great underlying tension and refined tannins that slowly dissipate with more air. Dense and hedonistic to enjoy now, this has another twenty years in front of it. This is not a pop and pour, so be sure to give this at least an hour or two of air if enjoying now. Drink 2026-2046- 97
2023 Doubleback ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine- Not for the faint at heart, the world-class 2023 ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine has small portions of Malbec and Petit Verdot blended in. It comes from the McQueen, Lefore and Schaefer vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley. This is also needing 1-2 hours in the decanter before being fully aroused. Purple and black florals combine with creme de cassis, Turkish coffee, scorched earth and faint green herbal accents all line the nose. The palate is powerful, nervy and tannic with serious structure and weight. A stunning melange of black and blue fruits greet you, as this comes off soft and refined on the mouth, with excellent length. Jet black in the glass, this has plenty of non-fruit character with graphite, rocky soils and cedar accents. Still shedding some of its baby fat, give this at least another year in the bottle to fully evolve. Drink 2027-2050- 99