Doubleback
Estate Reserve Red Blend
Walla Walla Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
The 2017 Doubleback ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep, hedonistic monster of a wine. Massive, brooding dark fruits invade the nose with black currants, Black Forest Cake and creosote that all take shape in the glass. The sense of balance mid-palate is gorgeous. Even better is the seamless quality of the wine that effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. While obviously intense, the lifted, pillowy effect induced on the palate is seriously good. Dark chocolate covered espresso bean, tar, creme de cassis and suggestions of blackberry compote with light smoky and herbal undertones complete this scintillating Cabernet Sauvignon. This finishes extremely long. If enjoying in its youth, be sure to give this massive wine at least a two hour decant. Try to let this sit at least another year. Drink 2021-2045- 97
The 2017 Doubleback ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep, hedonistic monster of a wine. Massive, brooding dark fruits invade the nose with black currants, Black Forest Cake and creosote that all take shape in the glass. The sense of balance mid-palate is gorgeous. Even better is the seamless quality of the wine that effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. While obviously intense, the lifted, pillowy effect induced on the palate is seriously good. Dark chocolate covered espresso bean, tar, creme de cassis and suggestions of blackberry compote with light smoky and herbal undertones complete this scintillating Cabernet Sauvignon. This finishes extremely long. If enjoying in its youth, be sure to give this massive wine at least a two hour decant. Try to let this sit at least another year. Drink 2021-2045- 97
Feb 11th, 2020
Zoom event with Drew Bledsoe and Josh McDaniels. Vertical from ‘07, ‘14, ‘15, ‘16, ‘17, ‘17 estate, and ‘18. All were exceptionally smooth and silky with good depth of fruit. Notes on the ‘17 estate reserve. I have to be honest. I liked the regular ‘17 better than the ‘17 estate reserve at this point in their lifecycle. I think the estate reserve is built for greater longevity and will race past the regular ‘17 in a few years but it was still a bit wound up. 94% CS, 6% petite Verdot. This wine was the most tannic of the night and had the biggest mouth feel. It coated your teeth with big fruit and tannins that were not as subtle as the other wines we tasted tonight. As these mellow out this wine will get better and better. Notes of cocoa and spice linger through the long finish. There were subtleties in this wine that will emerge with time. Put this away for 3-5 years and revisit it when it has had time to mellow a bit.
Zoom event with Drew Bledsoe and Josh McDaniels. Vertical from ‘07, ‘14, ‘15, ‘16, ‘17, ‘17 estate, and ‘18. All were exceptionally smooth and silky with good depth of fruit. Notes on the ‘17 estate reserve. I have to be honest. I liked the regular ‘17 better than the ‘17 estate reserve at this point in their lifecycle. I think the estate reserve is built for greater longevity and will race past the regular ‘17 in a few years but it was still a bit wound up. 94% CS, 6% petite Verdot. This wine was the most tannic of the night and had the biggest mouth feel. It coated your teeth with big fruit and tannins that were not as subtle as the other wines we tasted tonight. As these mellow out this wine will get better and better. Notes of cocoa and spice linger through the long finish. There were subtleties in this wine that will emerge with time. Put this away for 3-5 years and revisit it when it has had time to mellow a bit.
Feb 20th, 2021