Rave Reviews in April Wine Enthusiast; 96 pts. 2009 Januik Reserve

First, the good news:  The April 2013 issue of Wine Enthusiast magazine is now on newsstands with fabulous reviews for a slew of Januik wines.   Pacific Northwest wine author and critic Paul Gregutt rated the 2009 Januik Reserve Red 96 pts., along with five other 90+ ratings.  Now the bad news:  These wines sold out quickly and are no longer available from the winery, but if you’re willing to check retail shelves, you should be still be able to find a few of these gems.  Here are highlights:

96 pts. — Januik 2009 Reserve Red (Red Mountain)
Cellar Selection — This a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, and all of the fruit came from old vines from two of Washington’s most revered vineyards, Champoux and Weinbau. Supple and ripe, it’s packed with a brilliant flavorful mix of berries, cherries and cassis. The tannins are polished, and the barrel-derived notes of toast, cinnamon, coffee and caramel linger through the long, smooth finish.

94 pts. — Januik 2009 Klipsun Vineyard Merlot (Red Mountain)
Cellar Selection — This vineyard-designated Merlot includes 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, also sourced from Klipsun. Classy from the get-go, this is lined with notes of graphite, mineral and cinnamon, with dense black-cherry and cassis flavors that anchor the core. Its excellent texture, depth, length and structure suggest that this can be cellared for a decade, at least.

93 pts. — Januik 2009 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Mountain)
Cellar Selection — Mike Januik’s Cabernet Sauvignons are intellectual wines. They don’t rush out to greet you with jammy, gooey flavors; instead, they are hard and compact like coiled steel. They offer potential rather than immediate pleasure. This selection is powerful and muscular, and it offers notes of metal, gravel and cassis

92 pts. —  Januik 2009 Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Horse Heaven Hills)
Cellar Selection — Stiff and tannic, this wine’s bold black-cherry flavor, which is characteristic of the Champoux Vineyard, is veined with iron and gravel notes, plus a clover hint.  It’s complex and riveting, and the tannins finish with a peppery bite.

92 pts. — Januik 2009 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Syrah (Red Mountain).
Editors’ Choice — In 2008, Januik made a single-vineyard Syrah from Lewis Vineyard fruit; now the winery has sourced fruit from Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, one of the superstar spots on Red Mountain. A compact wine that snaps right into focus, this offers varietal flavors of fig, berry and plum. A streak of smooth chocolate weaves through the finish, along with a hint of red licorice and underlying slate-like minerality.

91 pts — Januik 2010 Cold Creek Vineyard Chardonnay
Cellar Selection — This focused effort features fresh-cut apple and pear flavors that are spicy and tightly wrapped with a Bourbon-barrel-like accent. Delicious now, but it can be cellared for a decade at least.