Januik/Novelty Hill Winery

Januik/Novelty Hill

It has been a while since I’ve reviewed wines from Januik and Novelty Hill, so I needed a fresh report. These new releases, primarily from the 2012 and 2013 vintages are some of the best yet. Recently I had the chance to try the full current lineup of red and white wines at Januik/Novelty Hill. I found that the overall quality of their wines to be exemplary. One of the novel aspects of tasting at Januik is that they produce a wide variety of reds – everything from Syrah to Cab Franc. All their wines are so good that they tend to sell out soon. Their releases from the 2012 vintage were impressive, considering near perfect growing season. Their 2013 releases seem to be on par, as 2013 was a hot and exceptional growing season in eastern Washington.
The head winemaker, Mike Januik, was formerly the winemaker at Chateau St. Michelle. He wanted to run his own show so he created an iconic winery less than a mile down the road from St. Michelle. For those who have never visited this tasting room, it is a northwest architectural marvel and a must see. His son, Andrew Januik, is now a winemaker and debuts his impressive 2012 Cabernet called ‘Stone Cairn.’ Their single vineyard wines can only be found at their winery. Here are some of the great red wines that I recently tried at Januik/Novelty Hill winery. Check out these impressive releases at noveltyhilljanuik.com or find their wines at Costco, Total Wines, Met Market or other great northwest wine shops. ‪#‎januik‬ ‪#‎noveltyhill‬

2013 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc- This wine impresses each year for the price. It has aromas of pear, orange blossom and cantaloupe on the nose. This has a lively, mineral based mid-palate, leading to flavors of pear, honeydew and red delicious. This is the quintessential refreshing summer wine for a hot day. -90

2014 Januik 'Sagemoor Vineyard' Sauvignon Blanc- The Sagemoor vineyard is known for high quality red varietals but Januik has sourced some Sav Blanc here. Perfumed nose of lemongrass, honeydew, Meyer lemon and pear. The mineral driven mouthfeel has nice lushness. Flavors of green papaya, white flowers, grapefruit and pear components. Nicely astringent with good tang. Would be a hit with sushi. -90

2013 Novelty Hill 'Stillwater Creek Vineyard' Viognier- This is Stillwater Creek wine remains one of the best sites in the state for Viognier. It opens with a perfumed nose of jasmine, pear and starfruit. The palate has nice richness and depth. There are flavors of pear, green apple and honeydew. Delicious wine to enjoy in the summer. -90

2013 Novelty Hill 'Stillwater Creek Vineyard' Rousanne-This is a blend of 91% Rousanne with 9% Marsanne. Fragrant aromas of star jasmine, golden delicious apple, pear and nutmeg. Mouthfeel has nice richness as this is fat on the tongue. Leads to flavors of white peach, ripe pear, red delicious apple and starfruit. Nicely tropical and delightful expression of the varietal. -91

2013 Novelty Hill 'Stillwater Creek Vineyard' Chardonnay- This wine has a pale color with greenish hue. The wine impresses for the price year after year. Aromas reminiscent of pear, Granny Smith Apple and baking spices. Nice richness with the mouthfeel. Flavors of red delicious, pear and a nice vanilla cream finish. Straightforward style and delicious. -90

2013 Januik 'Stillwater Creek Vineyard' Chardonnay- This one was selected from a panel of esteemed sommeliers to be poured at the U.S. open golf tournament. It starts with aromas of pear, nutmeg and red delicious apple. Nice mouthfeel in this refreshing white. Flavors of Granny Smith apple persist, alongside pear, and cantaloupe. Lovely minerality in this refreshing side of Chard to pair with Thai green papaya salad. -91

2012 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Grenache- This wine opens with a bright nose with strawberry, cherry, and blood orange. There is a smooth mouthfeel which leads to flavors of plum, vanilla, strawberry and red cherry. Delicious wine that is meant for early consumption, as the flavors have already connected nicely. This is Mike Januik’s creativity at its finest. -92

2012 Novelty Hill Merlot- This is Merlot is blended with 3% Cabernet. Lighter purple hue with aromas reminiscent of oak, vanilla, red cherry and boysenberry. Mouthfeel is smooth and elegant, leading to rich flavors of black cherry, blackberry and figs. This is one that impresses for the price. Drink 2015-2020. -91

2013 Januik Merlot- This is all Columbia Valley fruit with 4% Cabernet blended in. Lovely nose with dill, oak, vanilla, cloves and red cherry, as you can really get the oak in there. Lovely texture with flavors of red cherry, boysenberry preserves and blackberry with some black olive. Delicious and lithe wine that is drinking nicely now. Drink 2015-2022. -91

2012 Novelty Hill Cabernet- This is their Columbia Valley bottling which is blended with 8% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. This wine impresses with aromas of anise, cassis, oak and dill. Mouthfeel is smooth with nice density. Flavors of black olive, blackberry compote, and blueberry with a light graphite component over mild tannins. Drinking well now. Drink 2015-2022. -92

2012 Januik 'Weinbau Vineyard' Cabernet- Dark core to the wine leading to aromas of mocha, blackberry and oak. Rich mouthfeel with Flavors of cassis, anise, blackberry and black olive. This is refined with w long finish. Drink 2015-2022. -92

2012 Januik ‘Champoux Vineyard’ Cabernet- This impressive wine with a 2% splash of Malbec opens with aromas reminiscent of oak, red cherry, vanilla and blackberry. Palate has nice density and depth in the mouthfeel. Flavors of blackberry, anise, black cherry and vanilla. This wine is delicious now but should cellar for 1-2 more. Drink 2016-2022. -93

2012 Januik 'Red Mountain' Cabernet- This is a blend of 90% Cabernet with 6% Merlot and 4% Cab Franc. Aromas reminiscent of dill, red cherry, red bell pepper and oak. This is slightly firm at this juncture, with mild tannins but the fruit will need more time to integrate. Currently showing fruit flavors of red cherry, blackberry and prune. Give this slightly more feminine style Red one another year. Drink 2016-2022. -92

2012 Januik 'Ciel du Cheval' Cabernet- This wine from the esteemed Ciel du Cheval Vineyard was blended with 12% Merlot. Aromas of black cherry, anise, cassis, and oak. Mouthfeel is viscous with light tannins. Rich flavors persist of blackberry, anise, black cherry, vanilla and red bell pepper in this slightly vegetal but highly delicious Cab. Drink 2015-2020. -92

2012 Andrew Januik ‘Stone Cairn’ Cabernet- Made from Mike Januik’s son, Andrew, this wine is sourced from the Quintessence and Shaw Vineyards in Red Mountain. The wine has nice oak, blackberry and prune on the nose. Palate has nice richness. Red cherry, plum, blackberry, and anise pervade on the palate. This wine is drinking deliciously now. Drink 2015-2022. -92

2012 Novellty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Syrah – This lovely wine opens with aromas of black cherry, blackberry and blueberry. The palate has flavors of black olive, blackberry, black cherry and is open and delicous. This represents as wonderful Columbia Valley wine. Drink 2015-2020. -92

2012 Januik ‘Weinbau Vineyard’ Malbec- Like its 2012 namesake, this wine is ready for immediate consumption. It opens with lovely aromas of blackberry, blueberry and oak. Flavors of blackberry, chocolate and blueberry lead to a rich and dense mouthfeel. This rich wine will drink nicely until 2022. -92

2013 Januik ‘Weinbau Vineyard’ Malbec- This Malbec has been blended with 5% Cabernet. In the glass it begins with aromas of black cherry, cocoa powder and blackberry. Rich mouthfeel with smooth mouthfeel, leading to flavors of anise, creme de cassis, blackberry pie and milk chocolate. Simply delicious now, a fantastic expression of the varietal. Drink 2015-2022. -93

2012 Novelty Hill 'Stillwater Creek Vineyard' Sangiovese-This beautiful red colored wine opens in the glass with lovely red fruit aromas of strawberry, red cherry and raspberry with oak. This medium bodied red has nice smoothness and uniqueness for the varietal. Flavors of red cherry, dill and raspberry persist. This is designed for short term consumption and is one of the best Washington Sangioveses I’ve had in the past 10 years. Drink 2015-2018. -91

2012 Januik ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Petite Verdot- This is a 70 case production wine from Red Mountain. Lovely vegetal nose with thyme, green pepper, and blackberry on the nose. The palate has flavors of green bell pepper, blackberry, black olive and white pepper. Delicious and novel for Washington state. Drink 2015-2021. -92

2012 Januik ‘Weinbau Vineyard’ Cab Franc- This wine has a deep purple hue and opens with aromas of white pepper, blackberry, oak and blueberry on the nose. Nice density on the mid-palate, which leads to lovely flavors of blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry. Smooth and delicious. Drink 2015-2022. -92

2012 Januik Reserve Red Blend- This wine explodes with ripe aromas reminiscent of blackberry, anise and black cherry. There is nice richness and density on the palate, which leads to flavors of blackberry, anise, black olive and tar. This outstanding wine will have a long life. One of the best Januik Reserves I’ve had in the pat 10 years. Drink 2015-2026. -94

2012 Januik ‘Weinbau Vineyard’ Syrah- This wine opens with aromas of smoked meats with oak and blackberry. The palate has flavors of vanilla, blackberry, smoked meats and black cherry. Drink this delicious wine now. Drink 2015-2020. -92

2012 Januik 'Ciel du Cheval Vineyard' Syrah- The wine has a deep purple core leading to aromas of baking spices, white pepper, smoked meats and blackberry. Velvety texture with flavors of blackberry, black olive, smoked pork shoulder and vanilla. Excellent array of flavors, with the backbone to age for another 5 plus. Drink 2015-2022. -92

2013 Januik 'Weinbau Vineyard' Syrah- In the glass the wine opens with lovely aromas of black cherry, black tea and smoke. Lovely texture and persistence but the wine will need some time for the fruit to come together. Flavors of blackberry, black olive and crushed rocks give it an earthier appearance. Drink 2016-2022. -91