Michael Chelus

8.9

Apple, lemon candy, hay, slate, peach and hints of lime zest on the palate. Electric acidity and great minerality. — 6 years ago

JKT

9.3

JL Selbach tasting 11/16/17. Auslese starred. Sweeter. Lower on the hill and warmer. What a beautiful nose of pineapple and flowers and petrol hay minerals. Great body a and finish. Young. $35. — 8 years ago

Keith Herrick

9.1

Not over the hill, but I would have preferred it younger. Dried hay and grass, wet stone, honey and botrytis. Rich mouthfeel. — 8 years ago

Kim Stanbro

9.1

It's a Tempranillo- cloudy, could use some depth, but smells of leather and hay. — 8 years ago

Aaron Ferguson

9.4

Dense crimson. Slightly jammy nose. Black fruits. Medium-heavy cab of medium length. Lacks the finesse of cheribino/ xanadu et al. Fruit ladden front and mid palate. Dense tannic finish. Balanced enough and may be better in a few years but too jammy and not well enough integrated currently. D3 update: beautiful, seemless, jaminess gone. 94 (from 92-93) — 9 years ago

Zachary Price

9.1

While at Total Wine, I picked up the previous Novelty Hill bottle and this Januik Merlot, (the Cabernets are a bit out of my price range at the moment). As mentioned previously, these wineries share a tasting space in Woodinville, WA. Mike Januik, the winemaker and owner of the Januik label, has been labeled one of the "Masters of Merlot" and, as the name implies, specializes mainly in Bordeaux grapes sourced from mature vineyards around the Columbia Valley. 2013 was a warmer year towards harvest than the previous two vintages, yielding in changes to the flavor profile of many of the grapes in the Columbia Valley due to the longer hang time on the vine. This wine is composed of 96% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon (likely to add a tad more tannic structure), harvested from Weinbau, Klipsun, and Ciel du Cheval vineyards and seems like it could benefit with another year or two under its belt. ~$22 | #januik #merlot #columbiavalley

On the eyes: Med opacity, bright, magenta-garnet, med stain, med+ tears. No gas, evidence of floc.

On the nose: Cherry, black plum, orange peel, dried hay, herbaceous, with a hint of chocolate, med+ alcohol.

On the tongue: Med+ tannin, med acid, med+ alcohol, med+ body. Cherry, black plum skin, and blueberry yielding to hints of menthol, chocolate, and cedar with a pleasant long oaky finish. — 9 years ago

Zachary Price

8.9

Novelty Hill and Januik share wineries out of Woodinville, WA. Both wineries are managed by Mike Januik and specialize in premium varietal clones. The Columbia Valley AVA is the largest AVA in Washington State. Even though Washington is much further north than California, the peak ripening in most grapes occurs slightly later than CA. This one is a kitchen sink wine, that is predominately Merlot (59%) but also contains Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, Sangiovese, and Mourvèdre. Someone must have thought this one was past its prime, but I feel like the drinkability continues - picked up at Total Wine. ~$17 | #noveltyhill #columbiavalley #totalwine

On the eyes: Deep rusty red, bright and clear, med+ stain, med+ tears, no gas/floc.

On the nose: Funky stewed blueberry, black cherry, raspberry, with a hint of hay, and earthy mustiness. Med+ alcohol.

On the tongue: Med+ acid, med tannin, med+ alcohol, med+ body. Stewed black cherry and raspberry, raisin, white pepper, hint of spice, licorice, and woodsy finish. Tart on the way down, nice long finish. — 9 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.0

A nice weeknight Bordeaux Blanc, 60% Semillon & 40% Sauvignon Blanc.

Nose is uncomplicated, white flowers, honey and recently cut hay.
Palate has light honey, squeeze of lime and grapefruit pith, apricot on the finish.

Still several years to go on this bottle until it begins to shed some of its medium acidity. — 6 years ago

Bill Bender

9.2

3 good things about a 3 day weekend. Dodgers vs Padres with Kershaw on the hill followed by one of my favorite merlots. The mailbox reserve is right up there with Paloma and Switchback--rich, weighty and lush. Spring mountain does something with merlot that makes me seek them out. The '13 is still youthful and needs time to shed some tannin so I'd hold for optimum enjoyment.....and optimum enjoyment is always the goal. Happy Labor Day weekend 👷🏽💼🍷🍈🍈 — 8 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.2

Nice crisp, lean, limey, snow peas, hints of sage and hay, juniper. Flinty. Very enjoyable. 👍 ps: very cheap too✌️️ — 8 years ago

Michael Chelus

8.9

Apple, lemon, honey, oak, slate, hay and hints of dried apricot. Good acidity and balance. — 9 years ago

Maxwell Burns

Hospitality Kenwood Vineyards, Winemaker GARA

9.6

Best saison I've ever had. Near perfect beer. Bottle conditioned. Dry apricot, lemon peel, fresh hay, saison funk, it goes on and on to a bone dry, and tart finish. — 9 years ago

Michael Chelus

9.0

Strawberry, cherry, watermelon, lemon, hay and slate. Good acidity and balance. — 9 years ago

Marc S

9.0

Hay and light burned wood nose; plums, blackberries/cassis smooth tannins. 100% Monastrell. — 7 years ago

Joanne

9.0

A lovely easy to drink red with dinner. — 7 years ago

Richard Lewis

9.3

Hay and a little salinity, finish of fino and yellow apple. Starts off fuller bodied with a bit of viscosity, finishes more crisply. — 8 years ago

with Lynne

Ron R

9.4

I consider this a "first growth" in Cali, and after tasting this near 20 year old example, the evidence is palpable.
The nose shows a touch of gray, but visually, the wine has stood relatively firm. On the palette, it has shed its plump mouthfeel and presents an ethereal weight and texture. Fruit is still vibrant with black cherries and raspberries. A touch of cinnamon and barrel toast complete the ensemble. Don't leave this 97 any longer. Excellence in a glass. — 8 years ago

with Anne-marie

Alison Toohey

9.3

Fantastic and light. Fruity — 9 years ago

Jodie Upton

8.9

Fun and easy to drink — 9 years ago

Tim Watkins

9.2

Final night in Australia and came across this gem - equally rivals those BC cab francs - yum! — 9 years ago

with Jason