Januik and Novelty Hill

Andrew Januik is one or the bright talents in Washington wine. Jovial, candid, confident and easy to talk to, Andrew has been training under his father for a really long time. He’s worked vintages spanning the globe. ‘We’ve had a really good run’ Andrew said with confidence when talking about the recent vintages in Washington. Consistency is something that you have come to admire from the wines that come from Januik and Novelty Hill. One of the great stops on the Woodinville Wine Country trail, Januik was founded by eminent Washington wine pioneer Mike Januik, who formerly was head winemaker for Chateau Ste. Michelle and Col Solare before starting his own great project. The winery is modern and spacious, with one of the area’s top outdoor spaces. If you have never been to Januik/Novelty Hill, then you are in for a treat.

While the space is gorgeous, the wines are even better. The best Rose that they have made in my opinion is the new 2019 Spring Run Rose (WWB, 90) which has vibrant minerality and just a hint of sweetness. I was really impressed by the 2017 Januik ‘Cold Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay (WWB, 92) which shows the great brightness from this exciting vintage in Washington. The red wines from Januik and Novelty Hill were really impressive across the board. One great value is their 2016 Novely Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Merlot (WWB, 92) which carries nearly everything you want in a great Washington Merlot for under thirty bucks.  Learn more about these great wines at  

2019 Spring Run Rose- The 2019 Spring Run shows sweet strawberry and shades of guava that take shape on the nose. The freshness of thew wine shows marvelously with lighter red fruits that dance with shades of citrus rind.The light kiss of sweetness and light salinity and savory edge is lovely. This is a super refreshing Rose wine that needs a warm summer day. Drink 2020-2023- 90

2018 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Roussanne- This 100% Rousssanne wine shows nice buttered bread and nutmeg character with shades of macadamia nut that all the meld in harmony. The freshness and texture is truly outstanding with the light nutty and flinty toners. This is every bit outstanding that will best be enjoyed in the short-term while the wonderful brightness remains. Drink 2020-2025- 92

2017 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2017 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ is another great effort from this outstanding winery. Right away you notice the evocative nose, filled with citrus and buttered bread tones that connect with the lighter musty undertones aromatically. The mouthfeel and textural elements are gorgeous, as is the exceedingly long finish. This effort is every bit outstanding by the talented Andrew Januik. Drink 2020-2027- 92

2017 Januik ‘Cold Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay- This warm vintage site Chardonnay shows wonderful brioche and lemon curd aromatics that are woven together in the glass. The brightness and wonderful mouthfeel both entice as the wine slowly yields kumquat and green apple flavors that combine with vanilla cream accents. The long, vanilla cream and mineral-driven finish lingers. Drink 2020-2027- 92

2017 Januik ‘Bacchus Vineyard’ Riesling- Januik has been producing this wine for over a decade and this is one of the great Rieslings they have produced. This dry, Trocken style Riesling (8 g/l) shows pretty apricot and white rose water aromatics that mingle together in the glass. The freshness imparted is lovely, as the silky texture entices. Lychee and Pink Lady apple flavors greet the wonderful brightness in the wine. Drink 2020-2027- 91

2016 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Merlot- The 2016 ‘Stillwater Creek Merlot’ is an outstanding value by Andrew Januik that has beautiful shape and purity of fruit. Right away the Merlot shows lovely red cherry with cocoa powder and shades of damp earth that take shape in the glass. Round and generous, the lovely mouthfeel combines with bright red fruits with milk chocolate accents. This is seriously good for the price at a mere twenty eight dollars, as this wine is best enjoyed over the next five to seven years. Drink 2020-2028- 92

2017 Januik ‘Klipsun Vineyard’ Merlot- The 2017 ‘Klipsun Vineyard’ Merlot is another awesome offering by Januik. You are immediately drawn to the deep aromatics of milk chocolate shavings, black currants and shades of tar that connect with the lighter herbal undertones that all sing together in the glass. The combination of texture and richness really entices as thew wine is lined with generous dark fruits and chocolate fudge flavors alongside the sagebrush and damp earth accents. Round and downright delicious in its youth, the 2017 Januik ‘Klipsun Vineyard’ Merlot is shining brightly now and will provide drinking enjoyment for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 92

2017 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Grenache- The 2017 ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ is a seriously good wine that shows the softer side of the varietal. Right away the 2017 Grenache shows red raspberry, guava and shades of red licorice aromas that mingle in the glass. The soft texture entices as the wine shows good verve and energy throughout. Ripe red fruits mingle with minerals and lighter wet stone tones on the palate. Enjoy this great bottling over the next five to seven years. Drink 2020-2027- 92 

2017 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Sangiovese- Only a few acres are planted to Sangiovese in this esteemed, cool climate, vineyard. The 2017 Sangiovese yields some ripe red fruits that collide with minerals, smoky tones and a light dusting of cocoa powder on the palate. Lightly tannic and lithe, this is sensational wine that will cellar well for the next seven plus years. Drink 2020-2027- 92

2016 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is an awesome new value release from this outstanding Woodinville outpost. Immediately you are drawn to the lovely leafy and sagebrush tones that artfully combine with the deep dark fruits on the nose. This is extremely well-rounded with mocha and tar flavors that collide with blackberry pie and lighter mineral tones. Quite simply, the wine over-delivers for the price. Enjoy this great bottling over the next decade or so. Drink 2020-2030- 92

2017 Januik ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows red bell pepper and sagebrush tones that mingle with mocha and shades of black tea that all take shape in the glass. The palate is plush delivering a soft, lovely texture. Mid-palate your are greeted to layers of dark fruits, creosote and milk chocolate shavings. This is simply delicious wine that shows great in its youth and will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92

2016 Januik ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows black licorice and tar tones that meld with the sagebrush and black cherry cordial accents on the expressive nose. This elegant wine has a seamless factor that delights. With great length and texture, the 2016 Januik ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2030- 93

2016 Novelty Hill ‘Cascadia’ Red Wine- The 2016 ‘Cascadia’ Red Wine is another gorgeous wine by the talented father/son team at Novelty hill. A rich combination of dark and blue fruits greet you aromatically. The texture really entices as black tea, black licorice and loads of chocolate connect on the palate. Generous and rich, this will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2033- 93

2017 Jauik ‘Reserve Red’ Red Wine- The ‘Reserve Red’ is Januik’s barrel selection red wine that has been made since 2004. The enticing nose shows gorgeous range from sagebrush to shades of blackberry compote, iron and dark chocolate covered espresso bean tones that all take shape on the nose. The palate is plush, showing a downright sexy mouthfeel. Soft and marvelously textured this has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 93

2017 Januik ‘Ciel du Cheval’ Syrah- This opens with black olive and a deep core of smoked meats that all meld in the glass. Tightly wound with a deep core of dark fruits, try to give this a year or two in the bottle to be fully open and expressive. Drink 2022-2028- 92

2017 Novelty Hill ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah- This 2017 Novelty Hill ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah is another wine that overdelivers for the price. You are immediately drawn to the bright and intense aromatics of deep dark fruits, dark chocolate and lavender tones that take shape in the glass. The palate is plush as the wine shows off rich dark fruits that meld with roasted figs and lighter smoky tones on the palate. The is awesome stuff in its youth and will provide drinking enjoyment for the next five to seven years. Drink 2020-2027- 92