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

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

Michael Chelus

8.9

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

Victor Hwang

9.2

Elegant. Wound when opened. Needs 30 minutes to better express itself. Strawberry, some hay. Light bodied. Core of acidity that frames it all and softens with food and time. Medium long finish. Very pretty and far from being over the hill. — 9 years ago

Mircea Dincă

8.9

First time I see anything from them in Boston.A decent Saison, with raisins and faint cloves overtones on top of hay and grass. I hope the rest of their stuff is significantly better — 10 years ago

Jonathan Klonecke

Sales Revel Wines

9.2

surprising amounts of red fruit. juicy but with tannin to shed. wish more transparent but a memorable experience nonetheless. — 10 years ago

Rubychick

9.0

Revisiting this and having a moment. Loving the floral subtleties and calling it elegant — 11 years ago

Rubychick

10

Single varietal Petit Verdot. Brave, delicious, I could drink it now. No cellaring for me and my palate in love #wildcard — 11 years ago

with Erika and See

Tom Kobylarz

9.7

Needs a few more years, but once this hits its optimal window this should be a great bottle of wine. 2006 is know to have more tannin, but that is probably from this wine's youth. The color was the same as the 2003, a youthful dark red core with red edges. The nose was similar, but more supple with cherry, plum, and loam. The palate was full bodied, with full grain tannin. Bing cherry, cassis, and plum were the focus of the aromas and flavors. The finish was persistent, this wine was trying to shed its tannic cloak, but that will take another 2-3 years to resolve. Great wine! — 12 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

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

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

Melissa Kawecki

9.8

This is delightful and barnyard-y and so bright it'll make your lips pucker a bit. Notes of lemon, hay all stacked up on the frame of some gorgeous apple aromas make this one of my favorite ciders from one of the best producers in the US. All fruit is wild-foraged in this blend of feral apples and pears. — 10 years ago

Fiona Li

8.9

2011 vintage. Full bodied dark red color. Strong alcohol smell, berry flavor. Very smooth ending. Simple flavour. — 10 years ago

Matthew Deavin

9.0

Halliday gave the '12 95pts - who am I to argue. — 10 years ago

Rubychick

9.1

New day, new Rosé, new job. Bubblegum Pinot Noir — 11 years ago

Magnavita Cellars

9.7

Golden yellow, bordering on almost orange color. Aromas of cooked hay, celery & crushed stone. On the palate, gorgeous, well balanced use of oak. A nice brioche toast flavor with a touch of cooked marshmallow & pineapple. Really luscious! — 11 years ago

Joe Wines

9.6

Just what a mature Chardonnay should taste like. Just the right balance of fruit and Carmel. Still the color of hay with just a bit of spring green. — 11 years ago

Michael Chelus

8.9

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

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

Raul Puga

9.0

Nice crisp chardonnay. Worth seeking out. — 9 years ago

Zachary Engel

9.1

"Burnt hay" color is surprising at first glance. Citrus/coriander blossom on the nose with light baking spices which moves to grapefruit on the palate. Not a lot of residual sugars makes it a gewutzrtraminer I can drink by itself for hours. Forlorn hope has yet to disappoint — 10 years ago

Rubychick

9.1

New Block 6, this is limey and matchstick dryness with some subtle new oak. Delicious. It has surpassed my love for the Vineyard Series Chardonnay. Unbelievably 2014 — 10 years ago

Rubychick

9.0

This has really grown on me, always been a Loire Franc girl. — 11 years ago

Chip Stryker

9.2

Really great chance to see how a 15 year old Clare Riesling holds up. Star bright, intensely golden in the glass with plenty of life on the nose; shows lemon, lime, beeswax, hay, and subtle notes gas/petrol that develop with mature Rieslings and that I find enjoyable. Very soft mouthfeel, mellowed acidity and a great, dry finish. Wouldn't keep it much longer...drink it now! — 11 years ago

Rubychick

9.5

Sparkling Hay Shed Hill. Love these wines of Michael Kerrigan. — 11 years ago

Hannah Vickers

10

It tastes like Christmas — 11 years ago