Named after legendary quarterback Drew Bledsoe’s father, this wine brings elegance to Walla Walla’s fruit power. After retirement from the NFL, Drew teamed up with Washington upcoming winemaking legend Josh McDaniels. 2021 is the inaugural vintage, and the wine shows complex and fresh dark fruit ranging from black cherry to blueberry. Like many Washington winemakers, the blend in The Mac is uncommon — blending Syrah in with Bordeaux varietals. Walla Walla Syrah dominates the wine both in percent used and in stylistic influence. Merlot and Petit Verdot round out the wine and the Petit Verdot provides the extra helping of tannins to push this wine beyond expectations. With all the power and complexity of this wine, it will do extremely well in your cellar and can stay there for over a decade if you have the patience.
Bledsoe Family Winery, Walla Walla Valley (Columbia Valley, Washington) 2021
By Vince Simmon