The Collection
JOSH'S NOTES - 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
The new 2023 vintage of Bledsoe Family Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning example of a great growing season. Driven by red fruit, freshly picked blackberries, small hints of vanilla mixed with the sagebrush land that surrounds the vineyards. The mouthfeel is beautiful, generous, rich, soft, and layered, loaded with drinking pleasure. Another great example of quintessential Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon aiming to punch above its weight class. Enjoy!
APPELLATION
Walla Walla Valley
BLEND PROFILE
85% Cabernet Sauvignon
7% Petit Verdot
4% Malbec
4% Merlot
BARREL/AGING PROGRAM
22 months in 42% new French oak barrels, 58% neutral French oak barrels
JOSH'S NOTES - 2023 Malbec
I have loved Malbec since even before I spent the 2010 vintage in Mendoza, Argentina. This new vintage is all estate grown from Bob Healy and Lefore vineyards. Fresh cut flowers, pie crust, a slight herbal tinge, and evolving as it opens up. The mouthfeel is beautifully soft, has a glycerol sweetness, and very pleasurable with a chewy finish. Drink now through 2035-2040!
APPELLATION
Walla Walla Valley
BLEND PROFILE
100% Malbec
BARREL/AGING PROGRAM
22 months in 50% new French Oak and 50% neutral French oak barrels
JOSH'S NOTES - 2023 Merlot
One of my favorite projects to work on every year. This is all estate-grown Merlot from Walla Walla, predominantly from our Schafer site in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Cherry, raspberry, menthol, sandalwood, and pencil shavings. I am in love with the mouthfeel of this wine. Rich, fat, medium plus tannin, all framed in an intense, ultra-pleasing way. Normally I wouldn’t describe “chalky” tannin in a good way but this has the slightest feeling of chalkiness but in a beautiful, juicy, sensation that I honestly can’t get enough of. The finish lasts for a long time.
APPELLATION
Walla Walla Valley
BLEND PROFILE
91% Merlot
9% Cabernet Franc
BARREL/AGING PROGRAM
65% new French oak barrels and 2,000 liter Stockinger ovals for 16 months
JOSH'S NOTES - 2023 Flying B Estate
Our Flying B estate vineyard is located right at 1,000 feet in elevation alongside of a creek bed that only has water for about half of the year. The site itself sees our highest temperatures in the heat of summer, along with the Valley’s biggest temperature swings when the sun sets and cool air rushes down from the Blue Mountains. Partially fermented in concrete tulips, this wine is aromatically intense with blackberry cobbler, hoisin sauce, and black pepper. The wine comes in softly and builds with tannin. It is ultra concentrated and rich. The 2023 vintage is shining in this example. Cheers!
APPELLATION
Walla Walla Valley
BLEND PROFILE
100% Syrah
BARREL/AGING PROGRAM
50% new French oak barrels and concrete tulips for 16 months