It is my great pleasure to share the outstanding wines of Doubleback, which is the brainchild of NFL legend, Drew Bledsoe and his wife, Maura. The idea behind the winery is how Drew circled back following his brilliant NFL career. A Walla Walla native, Drew was a star quarterback at Walla Walla High School before an 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. In 2007 that Drew returned to Walla Walla to plant his estate vineyard, McQueen on the southern end of the Walla Walla Valley AVA.
Then in 2008 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 a great person to chat wine with. He is one of the great winemaking talents in the Pacific Northwest.
The finest wine I have ever had from this estate was the 2024 Doubleback ‘Estate Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 100) which leaves no doubt that it is perfection in a bottle. Dense, rich and unctuous with a seamless character, this is one for the cellar and any serious collector of Washington wine. Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.doubleback.com/ and here are my reviews of the gorgeous new 2024 release wines by Doubleback and Bledsoe Family Wines.
2023 Bledsoe Family Wines ‘Bob Healy’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Bledsoe Family Wines ‘Bob Healy’ Cabernet Sauvignon is dense and delicious showing creme de violette, tar, anise and rocky soil nuances on the palate. Big and bold with refined tannins, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 94
2024 Bledsoe Family Winery ‘Bob Healy’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Coming from this site near the Ferguson Vineyard, the 2024 ‘Bob Healy’ is plush and refined throughout the drinking experience. A melange of red and dark Frits combine with chocolate pie and arabica bean on the palate. Drink 2026-2036- 95
2024 Bledsoe Family Wines ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2024 Bledsoe Family Wines ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows black florals, anise and dark currant notes with shades of graphite. The palate is juicy and delicious with plenty of power and flavor density. Drink 2026-2034- 93
2024 Doubleback Chardonnay- Coming from several sites, the amazing 2024 Doubleback chardonnay is opulent and also nervy despite the warmth of the vintage. A terrific combination of melon and tropical fruits combine with shades of yellow plum on the palate. This is nothing short of world-class Chardonnay. Drink 2026-2040- 96
2024 Doubleback ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Jet black in the glass, this comes from the McQueen and Lefore Vineyards. This vintage they could not harvest from the Shafer Vineyard. Stored in a small amount of concrete as well as foudre and new French oak, this opens with violets, tar, pencil leaf and shades of creme de cassis. The palate is silky and refined with serious power and poise. This will easily cellar for twenty years. Drink 2026-2046- 97
2024 Doubleback ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine- This is the first time that the ‘Estate Reserve’ is all Cabernet Sauvignon. Stored in mainly new French oak (85%) before bottling, this is a powerful, heady and intense bottling that deftly reflects the warmth of the vintage. The nose shows violet roses petals, walnut and shades of creme de cassis with Turkish coffee notes. The palate is utterly seamless throughout the drinking experience, as the beautiful oak treatment texturally harnesses the fruit and non-fruit character that all sing in unison. Drink 2027-2055- 100
2024 Doubleback ‘McQueen Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon-A wine made only for customers who have bought 10 vintages of the wine, the 2024 Doubleback ‘McQueen Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon. Back tea and black rose petals combine with mocha, scorched earth and light herbal tones all combine on the nose. The palate is big and bold with a refined texture and amazing sense of weight. This finishes long with creme de violette and salty/stony notes. Only 50 cases made. Drink 2026-2050- 99