One of the great stops in Woodinville, Januik and Novelty Hill is a must-visit or any lover of Washington wine. 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.
My wife and I love visiting this gorgeous facility in Woodinville. Food quality is great here, as is the service. It is hard to find a better spot in Western Washington to enjoy wine outdoors on a bright, summer day. We went there for Father’s Day and basked in the sun while enjoying some world-class Chardonnay.
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 ‘Weinbau Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc (OB, 94) which has classic herbal character with great concentration and finesse. You are gonna love this wine. 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 Vineyards’ Sauvignon Blanc- The really good 2023 Januik ‘Sagemoor Vineyards’ Sauvignon Blanc offers gooseberry and pear notes on the palate alongside nectarine skin notes. Rich and viscous, this is absolutely singing right now. Drink 2025-2031- 92
2024 Spring Run Rose- A brilliant new Rose, the 2024 Spring Run is a blend of 45% Grenache with near equal parts Syrah and Mourvèdre coming from the Columbia Valley. On the nose this takes on layers of white and red florals alongside guava and bright cranberry. The palate is fresh and beautifully textured, as this bone-dry Rose is perfect for a hot summer day. Drink 2025-2030- 91
2022 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Sangiovese- Coming from this slightly cooler location in the Royal Slope AVA, the 2022 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Sangiovese delivers bright red fruits with tobacco leaf, dusty soils and suggestions of orange peel on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2031- 91
2022 Novelty Hill ‘Il Corvo’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Il Corvo’ is a blend made from mainly Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is medium-bodied and beautifully-balanced stuff, with a great melange of red and dark fruits alongside chocolate and a silky texture. This is drinking really well right now. Drink 2025-2033- 92
2022 Januik ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2022 Januik ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers sandalwood and cassis notes on the nose alongside espresso bean. The palate is deftly textured and balanced with a smooth mouthfeel and good sense of concentration. Enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93
2022 Januik ‘Weinbau Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- The outstanding 2022 ‘Weinbau Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc stands inky in the glass, delivering black rose petals alongside shades of lavender, garrigue and heady blackberry and black currant aromatics. Soft and elegant on the mouth, with a smooth mouthfeel and decadent sense of weight, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 94
2022 Januik ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Syrah- Coming from this acclaimed site in the Yakima Valley, the 2022 ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Syrah shows off thyme and basil aromatics alongside cherry tomato, red currants and dusty soils. The palate is rich and juicy, loaded with bright red fruits that meld alongside a smooth texture. Drink 2025-2034- 93
2022 Januik ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2022 Januik ‘Ciel du Cheval Vineyard’ Syrah shows black peppercorns and smoked meats on the palate alongside dark currants, tobacco leaf and rich boysenberry fruit flavors. Medium to full-bodied and very delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 93