A Novelty Hill 2009 Merlot appellated “Columbia Valley” and comprised of fruit from Alder Ridge and Stillwater Creek displays candied Morello cherry, vanilla and almond extract, its confectionary aura slightly awkwardly allied to notes of green herbs. Polished in texture as are most wines from Mike Januik, and satisfying in terms of sheer length (with a hint of pit piquancy adding attractive counterpoint) if not in any way intriguing or complex, I suspect this will be best enjoyed over the next couple of years.
Novelty Hill wines are made by veteran Mike Januik in the same (deluxe, now five year old) facility as are his Januik wines (reviewed separately in this report), but is a partnership with Tom Alberg and Judi Beck that originated when in 2000 they consulted with Januik on the establishment of what became Stillwater Creek Vineyard. Unsurprisingly, that inspirational Frenchman Hills site (for a bit more about which, see my comments in the introduction to this report) is the source for around one-third the volume of Novelty Hill’s wines (and is, incidentally, where I tasted them). While there are a number of excellent white wines on this roster, it should be borne in mind that more than three-quarters of Novelty Hill production is red, vinified along the lines sketched in my account of Januik wines in the present report.
Tel. (425) 481-5502
粵公網(wǎng)安備 44030502006249號(hào)