Owning a winery was been a longtime aspiration of Drew Bledsoe, a former NFL quarterback, since it would allow him to combine his passion for fine wine and love of the Walla Walla Valley. Returning to his hometown in 2007, he planted his estate vineyard, McQueen, in SeVein Vineyards of Distinction. The following year, he launched Doubleback, an estate-focused winery, to produce ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon from the Walla Walla Valley. It has since received numerous accolades including a spot on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list.

The estate’s McQueen Vineyard spans 50 acres, planted to 14.4 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Acquired in 2011, the Bob Healy Vineyard is planted to 9.7 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec.

The 2019 Bledsoe Family Cabernet Sauvignon from the Walla Walla Valley, produced by Doubleback, is a complex and well-regarded wine boasting a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 11% Malbec, and 1% Cabernet Franc. This vintage has been aged for 18 to 22 months in French oak, with varying reports of 50% to 57% new oak usage, contributing to its nuanced profile.

James Suckling of jamessuckling.com awarded the wine a score of 91, noting its "nice mix of stone and ripe red fruit on the nose" and "pleasant black-tea complexity." He describes the wine as medium-bodied with "nicely soaked, silky tannins," suggesting it is ready to drink now. Suckling’s observations highlight the wine’s immediate appeal and balanced integration of flavors.

Jeb Dunnuck from jebdunnuck.com gave a higher score of 94, emphasizing the wine’s "great nose of ripe cassis, graphite, spring flowers, and spicy oak." He praises its "rich, medium to full-bodied" nature and "beautifully balanced with ripe tannins," recommending a few years of cellaring for optimal enjoyment, with potential longevity of 15-20 years. Dunnuck’s review underscores the wine’s aging potential and depth.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, represented by reviewer AM, rated the wine 93 points. They describe it as "dark magenta in the glass" with a "dense core of dark red and black fruit essences." The review highlights the wine’s "fine-grained tannins" and "spicy, focused finish," suggesting it will benefit from additional time in the bottle.

Wine & Spirits also scored it 93 points, noting its youthful character with "tobacco-leaf scents and a rasher of caramelly new oak." They find the wine "lithe and fresh," with "plum and red-cherry flavors" that are "open and generous," calling it a "sleek, posh red at a good price."

Wine Enthusiast’s Sean P. Sullivan, who rated it 94, mentions aromas of "cedar, tilled earth, coffee, black cherry, herb, and spice," with an "explosion of fruit flavors" on the palate. He advises giving it time in the cellar, with an optimal drinking window from 2028-2035.

Lastly, Vinous reviewer Eric Guido, who also awarded it 93 points, describes the wine as "dark and rich in the glass," with a mix of "blueberry and cherry sauce" and "hints of mocha and tobacco leaf." He praises its "stimulating acidity and minerals" and "remarkably fresh" finish, noting the harmonious blend of varietals.

In summary, the 2019 Bledsoe Family Cabernet Sauvignon is a well-crafted, balanced wine with layers of complexity, making it suitable for both immediate enjoyment and extended aging.