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Januik, “Champoux Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington State, United States 2014 (750mL)
$49.00
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SommSelect

Januik, “Champoux Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine is an American classic and a serious rival to Napa Cabernets costing three times as much. I don’t say this lightly, since I live in Napa and appreciate the greatness that surrounds me, but I’ve got to give it up for Washington State here.
Sourced from one of the Columbia Valley’s most iconic vineyards and crafted by one of its stalwart winemakers, Januik’s 2014 “Champoux Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon is world-class Cabernet for less than $50—no small feat, regardless of where the grape is grown. Mike Januik is one of the producers who put Washington on the wine map back in the eighties and nineties, establishing relationships with the state’s top growers and celebrating them with vineyard-designate wines. This wine shows that the Columbia Valley can stand toe-to-toe with both Napa and Bordeaux, and at this price, we’re compelled to ask: How is Washington State still considered an up-and-coming region? If this wine is any indication, it has long since arrived—among the top Cabernet values we’ve offered this year, I’d put this one right at the top.
The Champoux vineyard is named for its viticulturist owner, Paul Champoux, who retired after this vintage; it is located in the Horse Heaven Hills area of southwest Columbia Valley, just north of where the Columbia River forms part of Washington’s border with Oregon. First planted in 1972, the 175-acre site is celebrated as one of Washington’s finest, with a semi-arid desert climate (typical of eastern Washington) and sandy loam soils. Close readers may remember seeing this vineyard designation on a bottle of Andrew Will Cabernet Sauvignon we offered some time ago, and we weren’t surprised to find much of the same power and complexity in Januik’s bottling—especially given the near-perfect conditions of the 2014 vintage. The blend is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, and 1% Merlot; it was aged 21 months in mostly new French oak barrels and bottled late June 2016. 

Januik’s 2014 “Champoux Vineyard” Cabernet is a beautiful wine right out of the gate. It has a dark, rich crimson core and purple inflections with a slight garnet hue on the rim. The nose explodes with beautiful, ripe fruit, cassis, black plum and cherries, star anise, black licorice, violets, cocoa, hints of leather and tobacco, and exotic baking spices. Exemplifying what Washington does best, the Januik layers pure fruit, freshness, and soft tannins. Its luscious flavors unfold for minutes and the palate is rich and full without being overbearing. It brings back memories of great Bordeaux I’ve sipped in the past while still retaining the New World fingerprint. In my opinion, it’s entering greatness as I write, but will drink well for 10+ years to come, likely peaking in three to five. 

Briefly decant for 10-15 minutes and serve in large Bordeaux stems at cellar temperature around 60 degrees (if too warm, the nose will be disjointed, as is the case with most reds). This is a hearty food wine that would pair well with any succulent, wintery dish. To impress your best friends, serve this with buttery mashed potatoes, and 24-hour braised lamb or short ribs. Cheers!
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Country
United States
Region
Washington State
Sub-Region
United StatesColumbia Valley — Horse Heaven Hills AVA
Soil
Sandy Loam
Farming
Sustainable
Blend
95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 1% Merlot
Alcohol
14.4
OAK
Mostly New French
TEMP.
60-65
Glassware
Bordeaux Stems
Drinking
Now-2030
Decanting
15 Minutes
Pairing
Braised Short Ribs

United States

Washington

Columbia Valley

Like many Washington wines, the “Columbia Valley” indication only tells part of the story: Columbia Valley covers a huge swath of Central
Washington, within which are a wide array of smaller AVAs (appellations).

Oregon

Willamette Valley

Oregon’s Willamette Valley has become an elite winegrowing zone in record time. Pioneering vintner David Lett, of The Eyrie Vineyard, planted the first Pinot Noir in the region in 1965, soon to be followed by a cadre of forward-thinking growers who (correctly) saw their wines as America’s answer to French
Burgundies. Today, the Willamette
Valley is indeed compared favorably to Burgundy, Pinot Noir’s spiritual home. And while Pinot Noir accounts for 64% of Oregon’s vineyard plantings, there are cool-climate whites that must not be missed.

California

Santa Barbara

Among the unique features of Santa Barbara County appellations like Ballard Canyon (a sub-zone of the Santa Ynez Valley AVA), is that it has a cool, Pacific-influenced climate juxtaposed with the intense luminosity of a southerly
latitude (the 34th parallel). Ballard Canyon has a more north-south orientation compared to most Santa Barbara AVAs, with soils of sandy
clay/loam and limestone.

California

Paso Robles

Situated at an elevation of 1,600 feet, it is rooted in soils of sandy loam and falls within the Highlands District of the Paso Robles AVA.

New York

North Fork

Wine growers and producers on Long Island’s North Fork have traditionally compared their terroir to that of Bordeaux and have focused on French varieties such as Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

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