One of the great places to try wine in Woodinville, Januik is set in a gorgeous, contemporary building that attracts visitors from around the world. While it is a beautiful place to taste, their wines are even more impressive. Mike Januik is former winemaker for Chateau St. Michelle, as well as the esteemed Col Solare project. In the past few years he has been teaming with his son, Andrew Januik, to make all Januik and Novelty Hill wines. A recent visit to Novelty Hill-Januik highlighted impressive new release wines. Superstar winemaker Andrew Januik guided me through the new releases that impressed from some hot vintages. Andew has worked harvests across the globe and produces his own label of wines, Andrew Januik Wines. I was very impressed with his new Andrew Januik wines, the 2014 ‘Lady Hawk’ (WWB, 93) and the 2014 ‘Stone Cairn’ (WWB, 93). Both Cabernets maintained the minerality of the Januik lineup, while slightly deviated towards richness and viscosity. These are impressive bottlings for the cellar. There were some highly impressive mainstays that I reviewed as well. One of the best Sauvignon Blancs in the state is the 2016 Januik Sauvignon Blanc (WWB, 92) which shows racy acidity and wonderful tree fruit flavors that come from a very exciting vintage. The wine is a beautiful complement for the final warm days of our summer.
Other impressive new release wines included the 2014 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Grenache (WWB, 92), which downright delicious red fruits and great minerality in this warm vintage. One of the best wines I tried was the intense 2014 Januik ‘Reserve Red Wine’ (WWB, 94) which showed a deep core of dark fruits and some serious cellaring potential. Learn more about this outstanding winery at http://www.noveltyhilljanuik.com/ Here are the great new wines from Andrew Januik, Januik and Novelty Hill.
2014 Andrew Januik ‘Stone Cairn’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Every bit as good as his 'Lady Hawk' bottling, the 2014 Andrew Januik 'Stone Cairn' Cabernet Sauvignon is one for the cellar and shows even more dense fruit at this juncture. Sourced primarily from the Quintessence Vineyard, located on Red Mountain, this excellent Cabernet wine opens with aromatics of black cherry, black truffle, blackberry cordial and suggestions of coffee grounds. The wine has dense flavors of black cherry, blackberry pie, mocha, and suggestions of black tea and Asian spices. Dense and layered, this is has chewy tannins and a plush mouthfeel, currently displaying a massive potential This is another gorgeous effort by superstar winemaker Andrew Januik that is also an exceedingly good value at this price point. Drink 2017-2029- 93
2014 Andrew Januik ‘Lady Hawk’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2014 Andrew Januik 'Lady Hawk' Cabernet Sauvignon is an exciting and dense bottling that beautifully showcases the heat of the vintage. Sourced from the Lady Hawk and Alder Ridge Vineyards, this intensely perfumed wine opens with aromatics of prune, cherry cough syrup, mocha and hints of crushed mint. There are rich flavors of blackberry preserves, coffee grounds, black cherry, black olive and suggestions of milk chocolate. Silky and structured on the mid-palate, this is drinking beautifully right now but will also cellar well for more than a decade. If enjoying young, be sure to give this great wine at least a two hour decant. Drink 2017-2029- 93
2016 Januik Sauvignon Blanc- Januik has produced one of the great white wine values in the state with this new release Sauvignon Blanc. This wine has 15% Semillon blended in. The wine begins with aromatics of gooseberry, lychee and white peach. This leads to bright flavors of nectarine, wet rock and Granny Smith apple. Drink 2017-2022- 92
2016 Novelty Hill Roussanne- This excellent Rousanne by Novelty Hill has 9% Viognier blended in. The wine has a marvelous texture and tension, displaying white peach, gooseberry and Pazzaz apple flavors. The creamy finish lingers. Drink 2017-2022-92
2015 Novelty Hill 'Stillwater Creek' Chardonnay- This warm vintage wine begins with brioche, Gala apple and creme brulee. This leads to bright flavors of vanilla cream, brioche, lemon zest and a lingering, heavy whipping cream finish. This has wonderful weight, balance and poise considering the heat of the vintage Drink 2017-2022- 92
2015 Januik 'Cold Creek Vineyard' Chardonnay-This warm vintage wine begins with toasty brioche, hazelnuts and creme brulee. This leads to ripe flavors of vanilla cream, Meyer lemon rind and butterscotch. The long cream driven finish lingers. Drink 2017-2022- 91
2014 Januik 'Bacchus Vineyard' Riesling- Sourced from 20 year old vines this 1.8% RS wine begins with aromas of petrol, Meyer lemon, and papaya. This leads to flavors of white peach, pink grapefruit and wet rock with Pink Lady apple. This has great tension despite the heat of the vintage. Drink 2017-2021- 91
2016 Spring Run Rose- A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, that weighs in at 1.3% RS this wine begins with aromatics of guava, ripe strawberry and pomegranate seed. There are flavors of white peach, pink grapefruit and strawberry starburst candy. This has lovely poise. Drink 2017-2020- 89
2014 Januik 'Columbia Valley' Merlot-This Merlot starts with lovely aromatics of milk chocolate, black cherry and black olive. The tension is fantastic as is the silky mouthfeel, leading to flavors of black cherry, black olive and milk chocolate and green olive. This is a stunning value that will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2014 Novelty Hill 'Columbia Valley' Merlot- This has aromatics reminiscent of baking spices, red cherry, Asian spices and teaberry. Black cherry, black raspberry and milk chocolate flavors lead to a long finish. This is an outstanding value wine made by the great winemaking team of Mike and Andrew Januik. Drink 2017-2027- 91
2014 Novelty Hill 'Stillwater Creek' Grenache- Novelty Hill have established a very nice following for this wine that has impressed particularly in hot vintages. This has lovely aromatics of red raspberry, red cherry, and blood orange rind. The acidity is lively showcasing black cherry, black tea, black raspberry flavors alongside some light tannins. The balance between fruit and elegance is fantastic here. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2014 Januik 'Champoux Vineyard' Malbec- The Champoux Vineyard, now controlled by to Golitzin family, has gained an outstanding reputation for great Malbec. The nose to this great Malbec is downright sexy showing white pepper, green olive and dark chocolate covered cherries. The mouthfeel is intense and silky throughout the palate showing off black cherry, black olive, milk chocolate. This is downright gorgeous and will drink marvelously for another decade. Drink 2017-227- 93
2014 Januik 'Weinbau Vineyard' Syrah- This deep colored wine opens with a bouquet of milk chocolate, creosote and smoked pork shoulder. Ripe flavors of black cherry, black pepper and dark chocolate sit alongside some light tannins. Silky and seductive, this gorgeous Syrah wine will cellar well for a decade. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2014 Novelty Hill 'Stillwater Creek' Syrah- Each year this wine is one of the great values in Washington Syrah. This wine begins with aromatics of black cherry, black tea and smoke. This leads to flavors of black raspberry, black tea and milk chocolate. This has wonderful tension and ripe dark fruit flavors. Drink 2017-2025-91
2014 Januik 'Champoux Vineyard' Cabernet- This wine shows off intense aromatics of black tea, mocha, blackberry jam and crushed mint. This leads to dense flavors black tea, anise, creme de cassis and black olive. The structure is marvelous. This has lovely weight and intensity. Drink 2017-2030- 93
2014 Novelty Hill 'Cascadia' Red Wine-This wine is a blend of nearly half Quintessence Vineyard fruit with the remainder Stillwater Creek Vineyard fruit. The wine is 55% Cabernet with the remainder Merlot and a touch of Malbec. The wine opens with rich aromatics of blackberry jam, milk chocolate and coffee grounds. Sagebrush, milk chocolate, Turkish coffee and black tea flavors are deep. This is absolutely gorgeous at this point but will have an exceedingly long life. Drink 2017-2030-94
2014 Januik 'Reserve Red' Red Wine- The 2014 ‘Reserve Red’ by Januik is comprise of 91% Cabernet with lesser components Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. This awesome wine has downright intoxicating aromatics of black tea, creme de cassis, mocha and anise with sage accents. Silky and seductive, this has a wonderful texture. Black tea, anise, creme de cassis and mint flavors impress. This is polished, showing light tannins. Drink 2017-2032- 94