Today we share the outstanding wines of Andrew Januk. A fellow world-traveller, Andrew has recently visited both Greece and Qatar for the World Cup! Truly one of the nicest guys in Washington wine makes a range of beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon that is worth seeking out. For years I have enjoyed his ‘Stone Cairn’ which is a cellar-worthy Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. Now he has added several SKUs to his collection of wines.
Tasting with Andrew, he was very excited to present wines from 2021 which was a warm, rather seamless vintage. He did an exceptional job with his 2020 wines and I loved the 2021 Andrew Januik ‘Stone Cairn’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which has to be up there with his 2018 as the finest editions of this wine made. Heady and well-structured, this could be a 20 year wine. Check out more about these beautiful wines at https://www.noveltyhilljanuik.com/wines/andrew-januik/ Here are my tasting notes from the new Andrew Januik wines.
2023 Spring Run Rose- Made from mostly Columbia Valley Grenache grapes, the 2023 Spring Run has the slightly click of sweetness, showing rich honeydew melon, strawberry and red cherry candy flavors, with suggestions of bergamot. Enjoy now while the brightness remains intact. Drink 2024-2029- 91
2021 Andrew Januik ‘Los Molinos’ Red Wine- This is a GSM inspired wine coming from the 2021 vintage. The nose is very earthy showing beef drippings, white pepper dusted bacon, and loganberry fruit tones, with bright red florals. The palate is also wonderfully earthy as this glides throughout the drinking experience. Medium to full-bodied with a smooth texture, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2021 Andrew Januik ‘Lady Hawk’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Entirely coming from this site in the Horse Heaven Hills Vineyard, the 2021 ‘Lady Hawk’ shows fresh sage, dark chocolate shavings, tar and creme de cassis notes on the nose. The palate is very refined and smooth texturally. Mocha, tar, black licorice and creme de violette tones all wonderfully combine on the palate. A joy to drink now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2024-2040- 95
2021 Andrew Januik ‘Stone Cairn’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The stunning 2021 Andrew Januik ‘Stone Cairn’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a gorgeous effort from this warm vintage. Beautiful black florals mark the nose alongside huckleberry and shades of cassis. The palate is plush and fresh with bright underlying tension. Finishing long with copious minerals and dark fruits, this is lithe, generous Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink 2024-2040- 95
2021 Andrew Januik ‘The Sorcerer’ Mourvedre- The 2021 ‘The Sorcerer’ is a 100% Mourvèdre wine from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard. Smoked meats and red currants mark the nose alongside venison and coffee ground aromas. The palate is lithe and polished with good freshness and smoky as well as damp earth undertones. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2021 Andrew Januik ‘Baba Yaga’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the upper part of the Southwind Vineyard set at 1500 feet. Tobacco leaf, black currants, mocha and allspice all come together on the nose. The palate is fresh and refined with a great sense of nerve. Rich dark fruits parade with menthol, and espresso grounds. Drink 2024-2040- 94
2021 Andrew Januik ‘Doppelgänger’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Andrews Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills. This site is cropped at only 2 tons per acre. The nose is gorgeous with its dark floral character alongside fresh mint, dark chocolate shavings and graphite. The palate is silky and refined with great underlying tension and good richness. Enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2024-2040- 95
2021 Andrew Januik ‘Southern Sojourn’ Carmenere- Coming from the Chile, this 2021 Carmenere comes from what Andrew Januik thinks might be the oldest plantings in Chile that are 80 years old. The nose is unmistakably Carmenere with its heady herbal tones. This is spicy and broad-shouldered with green peppercorns, green bell pepper and black raspberry flavors. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2021 Andrew Januik ‘Southern Sojourn’ Syrah- This beautiful 2021 Syrah offers black currants, white paper and green herbs on the palate, with chocolate notes. Fresh and polished, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 92
2020 Andrew Januik ‘Southern Sojourn’ Malbec- Coming from Mendoza, this 2021 Uco Valley Malbec comes from a site set at 4,000 feet. Right away this offers chocolate and sandalwood notes on the nose alongside black currants. The palate is smooth and soft with a refined texture. Showing good weight and finesse, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2024-2034- 93