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