2015 Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes

2015 was an incredible growing year – especially for Cabernet Sauvignon, the focus of Doubleback. Balancing out the heat of the vintage, our later ripening vineyards – McQueen, Lefore, and Pepper Bridge – really shined bright and they represent the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon we have ever had in a Doubleback blend. Medium to deep ruby in color, this wine is expressive immediately with blackberry cobbler, cassis, and wild herbs. On the palate the wine has broad, mouth coating tannins, cocoa powder, minerality, and a fresh, balancing streak of acidity. Though expressive and enjoyable now, the warmth and strength of the vintage will age fabulously for years to come. Drink at cellar temperature.

Vintage Notes

2015 continued on the gradual warming trend of 2012, 2013, and 2014 by topping the charts as the warmest vintage on record. We have been extremely fortunate to have such great, consistent vintages in the Walla Walla Valley. 2015 started right off the bat with an early growing degree day total of almost three times the 2014 March amount which led to an early bud break around the very beginning of April. Heading into bloom time we experienced a record setting 14 day stretch of over 100 degree weather, intensifying our cluster size and weight. The remainder of the growing season continued on a hot and dry trend of about two to three weeks ahead of normal. We began picking for Healy Rosé on August 24th which was the first time we have ever picked in August. Harvest was near perfect weather and ended with McQueen Petit Verdot on October 6th. Early lots showed great strength as we were pleasantly surprised with flavors without needing to be “overripe” as can be the case in warm years. Management of tannin extraction was a key to success as early lots of Cabernet were rather large, but the later blocks with extra hang time developed into very structurally pleasing wines. Overall, I am extremely excited for the quality in these wines.

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OUR VISION – The vision at Doubleback has remained constant from the beginning – to make world-class wines that are the truest possible expression of our estate vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley, my hometown. These estates – McQueen, Bob Healy, Lefore, and soon Flying B – are all becoming recognized as some of the best vineyards in the world and each have their own distinct characteristics which allow winemaker Josh McDaniels and his team to make wines that are complex and rich yet still maintain the balance and elegance we love. This past vintage was important at Doubleback. Josh McDaniels’ inaugural effort as our winemaker was awarded our highest rating ever and this new vintage is proving to be another step-up in quality. Power, depth, complexity, balance, and elegance are all in perfect harmony in the 2015 Doubleback. I know you will enjoy sharing this outstanding wine with family and friends for years to come. We thank you all for your belief in us as we continually strive to make some of the very best wines in the world.
– Note from Drew

Technical Notes