Eola-Amity Hills

Drew Bledsoe famously used to play Quarterback for the New England Patriots and was a great hero of the game, eventually handing over the reins due to injury, to another NFL player you might have heard of – Tom Brady. For former NFL Quarterback Drew, owning a winery had long been an aspiration that would allow him to combine his passion for fine wine and his love of the Walla Walla Valley in Washington State. In 2008, Drew launched Doubleback, an estate-focused winery with the goal of producing ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon from the Walla Walla Valley. To make this dream a reality, Drew collaborated with his childhood friend Chris Figgins of Figgins Family Wine Estates, who consulted on all winemaking and vineyard practices while training current winemaker, Josh McDaniels, who assumed the role proper in 2015.

Since their very first releases, the Bledsoe Family Wines range has received numerous high scores and awards from international wine critics. So, with the Oregon and Washington State Wine Tasting Roadshow recently rolling through London, I took the opportunity to catch up with Alexandra LaFontaine, who’s in charge of International Sales for Bledsoe Family Wines, to taste some new vintages as well as an exciting new release Pinot Noir from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, that is due to be released soon.

Bledsoe Family Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Walla Walla Valley AVA, 14.8% Abv.

A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Merlot. Deep dark and alluring aromatics burst from the glass with lifted notes of black currant and blueberry, black plum and hints of mulberries, mint leaf and praline chocolate. The oaking is precise and beautifully integrated showing just a subtle hint of vanilla pod spice and an enticing kiss of salted caramel. The mouthfeel is rich, warming and plush, intricately layered with earthy black berry fruits, a spicy stony minerality and pithy, graphite-like tannins on the finish. A well proportioned, classically framed wine with notable concentration and intensity but also fine balance and poise. Drink now to 2038+.

(Wine Safari Score: 96/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Bledsoe McDaniels Pinot Noir 2022, Willamette Valley AVA, 14.1% Abv.

The aromatics of this Pinot Noir are dark fruited and broody but unquestionably alluring, teasing with subtle notes of black berry, bramble berries and earthy red currants with subtle savoury cured meat nuances before black olive and pomegranate hints. The palate is tight knit, medium bodied but compact, showing a fine concentration of bramble berry fruits together with fabulous purity, polished tannins and a sleek ruby grapefruit tinged finish. A wonderful expression with sympathetic oaking making for a very attractive cuvée. Drink now to 2035+.

(Wine Safari Score: 94+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Bledsoe McDaniels Pinot Noir 2023, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, 14.1% Abv.

The fruit for this exciting new wine was sourced 50% from Drew’s own Coulee Estate vineyard purchased in 2021 from Mimi Casteel, and 50% from his neighbour’s Anahata vineyard. The wine was aged for 16 months in 20% new French oak barrels, puncheons and 1000 litre foudre.

The aromatics on this wine are beautifully intricate yet powerful, revealing intensely perfumed notes of violets, cherry blossom, pink musk and cherry rock candy confectionary nuances that gently melt into succulent notes of macerated blood oranges. The palate is regal and polished, incredibly focused and pure with pin point fine grained tannins, a sophisticated sleek textured mid palate showing cranberry, wild strawberry and spicy ruby grapefruit before darker berries and gently savoury bramble berry notes. An impressive wine that whispers class and precision, finishing with a real wound spring mineral tension. A new release that has it all. Pure class. Drink on release and over the next 12-15+ years.

(Wine Safari Score: 95/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Due to recent mergers and importer consolidation, the Bledsoe Family Winery are now seeking representation in the UK. Please email Alexandra for further information: alexandra@bledsoewineestates.com

This is an exciting wine project I have been hearing about for the past few years from winemaker Emul Ross as well as its proprietors Anthony and Olive Hamilton Russell every time I met up with them in either Cape Town or London. But this year also marked the release of their maiden offering of their new Oregon Chardonnay 2019 produced from the Maple Grove Vineyard in the Willamette Valley AVA, joining their premium Eola-Amity Hills AVA Pinot Noir.

During a quiet moment of the Cape Wine 2022 trade fair, I met up with Anthony and Olive to taste their new Chardonnay and Pinot Noir over a quick lunch. As we sat there discussing this exciting Oregon project, photos of the new Chardonnay 2022 harvest fortuitously started popping up on Olive’s phone, sent by Emul Ross as they had just commenced picking in the Willamette Valley.

Tasting the new Oregon releases in Cape Town with Anthony and Olive Hamilton Russell in October 2022.

Sadly, these wines are not yet available in the UK or in the South African market but are available in 21 different US states through Vineyard Brands. But judging from the excellent quality, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before some stock finds its way out of the USA!

Hamilton Russell Oregon Maple Grove Vineyard Chardonnay 2019, Willamette Valley AVA, 13.8% Abv.

1.9g/l RS | 5.70g/l TA | 3.40pH

Maiden vintage and second crop from this Jackson Family owned Maple Grove single vineyard Chardonnay. South West of Salem, from an area due to become a new AVA, just south of the Van Duzer corridor. Pure Clone 95 in 2019, this wine was fermented with the Hamilton Russell’s own indigenous yeasts and was then aged in 34% first fill and 66% third fill Francois Freres barrels. The nose displays fabulous creamy leesy lemon biscuit notes, vibrant layers of waxy yellow citrus and a saline, stony minerality. The palate shows a fabulous lemon butter opulence, a honied leesy savoury complexity and a broad, soft, harmonious, fine boned persistent finish. Very classy, nuanced and pure. Fruit from a great terroir shaped and nurtured by the winemakers hand. More porcelain than pottery. Drink now and over 5 to 8+ years.

(Wine Safari Score: 95+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

286 x 6 cases produced and exclusively sold in 21 states in the USA at circa $65pb. Vegan friendly. Distributed by USA Vineyard Brands.

Hamilton Russell Oregon Zena Crown Pinot Noir 2019, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, 13.3% Abv.

1.2g/l RS | 5.30g/l TA | 3.58pH

A classically orientated style of Pinot Noir aged for 14 months in 1st fill 23%, 2nd fill 30% and 3rd fill 47% French Francois Freres oak barrels. The aromatics are very exotic and seductive boasting delicate red and black cherry fruits, cranberry, pomegranate and hints of foresty bramble berry and wild strawberry. The palate is beautifully cool and sleek, light on its feet and finely textured with a real light touch elegance, a stony volcanic minerality and delicate silky tannins with an aspirational grandeur. Just love the effortless beauty of this wine. Plenty of appeal here for Burgundy lovers. Drink now and over the next 8+ years.

(Wine Safari Score: 94+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

565 x 6 cases produced and exclusively sold in 21 states in the USA at circa $85pb. Distributed by USA Vineyard Brands.