(Januik) Novelty Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
(Columbia Valley, Washington) - [JS 91] [VM 90]

This full-bodied, aromatic Cabernet Sauvignon offers expressive layers of ripe plum, black currant and wild blackberries. A textured, mouth-filling wine true to its varietal character with a balanced, refined finish.

Like previous vintages of this wine, winemaker Mike Januik relies on Novelty Hill's estate vineyard Stillwater Creek on the Royal Slope of the Frenchman Hills to build the base for the wine, then blends in layered complexity by using grapes from a small selection of top Red Mountain and Wahluke Slope sites to further enhance flavors and mouthfeel.

Production: 7,011 cases
Blend: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Aging: Aged 21 months in 65% French, 35% American oak barrels; 40% new
Alcohol: 14.4%

91 Points - James Suckling:
"Toasted herbs mix with tobacco leaf, cassis and anise on the nose. Full-bodied with rich dark fruit. Silky tannins. A nice through-line of peppermint. 93% cabernet sauvignon, 4% merlot and 3% malbec. Drink now."

90 Points - Vinous:
"Rubbed sage and dusty dried flowers give way to red currants and exotic savory spice as the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon blossoms in the glass. It's soft textured, and round in feel with ripe red fruits and saline-mineral tones that create a more tactile feel toward the close. The 2019 tapers off with a suave feel, melting away with black cherry, cocoa and lavender notes that slowly reveal a coating of fine tannins. Drink 2025-2031." -EG (10/22)

Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a value-priced blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Mourvèdre, and 3% Malbec sourced from multiple sites throughout the Columbia Valley. Rock-solid notes of cassis, tobacco, and cedary spice define the nose, and it's medium-bodied, has a seamless, elegant texture, quality tannins, and lots to love. It should keep for 7-8 years. Drink between 2022-2030." (7/9/22)

91 Points - Wine Spectator (for 2018):
"Rich but not weighty, with elegantly structured black cherry, mocha java and spice flavors that glide on the lingering finish. Drink now through 2028. 7,011 cases made." -TF (4/22)

91 Points - Wine Enthusiast (for 2018):
"The aromas bring notes of roasted coffee bean, vanilla, chocolate and cherry. Rich, ripe, hedonistic flavors follow, mixing fruit and barrel. It hits the gong hard, needing some time to fully settle in." — Sean P. Sullivan (10/1/2021)