Januik Winery evolved from an intense desire to create wines that are among the best anywhere. Doing this requires two things. One is having access to the best grapes available, and the other is doing things on a very small scale. Utilizing his relationships with growers throughout the Columbia Valley, Mike Januik, former winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle, acquires the best grapes Columbia Valley has to offer and his small production winery achieves wines of great finesse and balance. Mike's son Andrew Januik, who started his own label in 2011, also puts his own on some high quality Cabernet fruit. These are the essence of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon without the price tag. "Nobody in Washington State delivers more outstanding quality for the dollar than Januik Winery...unlike many of his winemaking brethren with much less to hang their hats on, Januik is not egocentric, reminding me of unpretentious hard working men like Claude Dugat, Jean-Francois Coche and Olivier Humbrecht" – P.Rovani (Wine Advocate 4/22/06)
Vinous Media 91 "Bright ruby-red. A bit clenched and medicinal on the nose, but with good ripeness to the aromas of blueberry, menthol and tobacco leaf.
Tasting Notes "This supple, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon is overflowing with juicy red and black fruit flavors as well as spice, currant and plum notes in the
Wine Advocate 90 "The least distinctive of the Cabernet releases, yet still outstanding and with lots to love, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon has more herbal, currants
Wine Spectator 93 "Plush and open-textured, bursting with juicy black currant and cherry fruit, layering in hints of mint, dill and mocha as the finish lingers
Wine Enthusiast 93 Editor's Choice "One wishes that Mike Januik made more Rieslings, as the few he’s made from Bacchus Vineyard fruit have been excellent. This is
Stephen Tanzer 93 "Bright ruby-red. Sexy aromas of redcurrant, cherry liqueur and sandalwood; I sense the Taransaud barrels. Sweet, densely packed and full, showing
Wine Spectator 94 "Tightly wound, its blueberry, plum and creme brulee flavors riding aristocratically over a layer of refined tannins. The finish persists and expands as
"Due to an unusual spring heat wave just before bloom, berries were smallerthan- average in 2007, adding concentration and flavor to the grapes. Good set after bloom,
"Columbia Valley vineyards grow Merlot that gives Washington winemakers a reason to smile. With the grapes our winemaker uses from the state's top vineyards, Januik
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