JIt is always a great time tasting with Andrew Januik, a man who makes a beautiful range of wines from crisp Rose to deep and concentrated Malbecs. For many years Andrew trained under his father, Washington wine icon Mike Januik, who was formerly head winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle and Col Solare before starting his own winery. Mike is a master of crafting great wines from literally any varietal. For years I have admired his Chardonnay wines that show insanely good aging potential — even from hot sites like the Cold Creek Vineyard. These guys are also crafting some of the greatest values wines in the state.
I love visiting this beautiful, modern facility in Woodinville. My wife and I love coming here on a bright summer day where you can taste their beautiful range of white wines. Food quality here also has gotten really good.
I adored the 2023 Januik ‘Sagemoor’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 92) which is beautifully textured stuff that has bright underlying acidity and really good flavor range. Even better is the 2022 Januik ‘Cold Creek’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is drinking beautifully right now and is also wonderfully textured, with great length. Learn more about these great wines at https://www.noveltyhilljanuik.com/ and here are my reviews of the great new wines by Januik/Novelty Hill.
2023 Januik ‘Sagemoor Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc- Bright and rich, the 2023 Januik ‘Sagemoor Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc offers kiwi, gooseberry and ripe melon tones on the palate, with good richness and texture. Lithe and lush on the mouth, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2022 Januik ‘Cold Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Cold Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay comes from this cooler vintage — albeit from a warmer site. This is fat and ripe on the palate with figs, alongside buttercream, Japanese pear and suggestions of juicy peach. Smooth and generous, this is fabulous Chardonnay that is drinking brilliantly now. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2021 Januuik ‘Columbia Valley’ Merlot- This beautiful 2021 Merlot offers ripe fig and sagebrush flavors alongside milk chocolate covered black cherry on the palate. Round and generous, with great structure, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Nearly all Merlot (91%) with smaller parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2021 Januik ‘Weinbau Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- Coming from this great site for Cabernet Franc, the 2021 ‘Weinbau Vineyard’ delivers beautiful dried herbs on the nose with potpourri and chocolate pie tones. The palate is fresh and lithe with serious texture and good underlying verve. This is seriously good stuff that has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2024-2040- 94
2021 Januik ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Januik ‘Columbia Valley’ comes from ten different sites, with a large portion coming from Horse Heaven Hills and Red Mountain. This Cabernet Sauvignon shows sagebrush and Turkish coffee notes alongside sandalwood tones. The palate is very fresh and polished with a smooth texture. Drink 2024-2034- 92
2021 Januik ‘Ciel du Cheval’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A beautiful wine to consume even now, the 2021 Januik ‘Ciel du Cheval’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers gorgeous black florals on the nose alongside coffee grounds and shades of black currant cordial. The palate is plush and round, with a generous texture and good depth. Drinking beautifully now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen years. Drink 2024-2040- 94
2021 Januik ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This beautiful new 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Quintessence Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA. On the nose this shows roasted figs and espresso grounds alongside scorched earth tones. The palate is soft and refined with plenty of texture and juicy dark fruits. Rich and layered, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2024-2040- 94
202 Januik ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon is dense and dark in the glass. The palate is loaded with rich chocolate, sagebrush and dark currant flavors alongside granite and tar tones. Coming from a blend of sites on Red Mountain, this fleshy and delicious Cabernet Sauvignon is a total home-run. Drink 2024-2040- 94
2021 Januik ‘Weinbau Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Weinbau Vineyard’ comes from this site that has older plantings on the Wahluke Slope. On the nose this takes on layers of huckleberry alongside coffee grounds, wet gravel and fresh sage. The palate is soft and refined with loamy soils alongside rich dark fruits and chocolate. Drink 2024-2040- 94
2021 Januik ‘Reserve Red’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Reserve Red’ is a beautiful barrel-select wine by Andrew Januik. Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, this offers a smooth texture and comes off very seamless throughout the drinking experience. Turkish coffee, creme de violette, and blackberry compote all combine on the palate, alongside loamy soils. A total stunner, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2024-2042- 96