🇺🇸 Januik Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2021

This is Columbia Valley Cabernet for people who want the good stuff without the Napa tax. It’s polished, full-bodied, and confident enough to not beg for attention.

Wine Description

Januik’s Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is the kind of bottle you open when you want your dinner to feel expensive, even if you made it in sweatpants. The fruit is dark, the texture is sleek, and the whole thing lands with that “yes, I did pick the right wine” energy.

Critics back it up: Wine Enthusiast rated the 2021 a 91, and multiple outlets describe it as balanced, fresh, and built around dark fruit with lift and spice. This is not a jam bomb, it’s a put-together Cab with posture.

The Vibe

Date-night Cabernet, dinner-party Cabernet, “I need a win today” Cabernet, it does the job without getting weird about it, and it plays nicely with food while still tasting like it has a point of view.

What it tastes like

Think blackberries and black cherry up front, then you get a more aromatic twist that critics describe with herbal and floral notes, plus a cocoa-like edge on the finish. It’s smooth, structured, and fresh enough that the last glass tastes as good as the first.

Pairing + When to drink it

Put it next to steak, burgers, lamb, grilled mushrooms, or anything with a decent sear and some attitude. Wine Spectator calls it a “drink now” wine with a window running through 2031, so you can pop it tonight or stash a bottle for later if you are feeling responsible.

Quick Specs

• Producer: Januik Winery 

• Region/Appellation: Columbia Valley AVA, Washington, USA 

• Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, plus Merlot and Cabernet Franc

• Vintage: 2021

• Farming: Unknown

• Winemaking/Aging: New French oak is used

• ABV: 14.4% 

• Bottle size: 750 ml

Critic Reviews

• James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: 92 points
  Reviewed vintage: 2021
  Date: 2024-03-05 
  Short excerpt: “Polished and full-bodied… creamy layers of blackcurrants… ripe and velvety tannins.”

• Wine Enthusiast: 91 points
  Reviewed vintage: 2021
  Issue date: 7/1/2024 
  Short excerpt: Notes highlight blackberries with an elegant aromatic lift, plus black cherry, tea-like tones, and clove. 

• Vinous: 90 points
  Reviewed vintage: 2021
  Date: 2024-01-24 
  Short excerpt: Understated and balanced, with herb-tinged dark fruit, brisk acidity, and a lightly structured finish with cocoa tones. 

• Wine Spectator: 90 points
  Reviewed vintage: 2021
  Date: 2024-10-21 
  Short excerpt: Focused blackberry with dried herb and spice, finishing with fine-grained tannins; drink now through 2031.

FAQs

Q: What is Januik Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2021?
A: It’s a red wine from Januik Winery in Washington’s Columbia Valley AVA, made as a Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend.

Q: What grapes are in this wine?
A: Cabernet Sauvignon is the lead, with Merlot and Cabernet Franc reported in the 2021 blend by JamesSuckling.com.

Q: What does it taste like?
A: Critics describe dark berry fruit, black cherry notes, herbal lift, and a cocoa-leaning finish, with a sleek texture and good freshness.

Q: What is the alcohol content and bottle size?
A: 14.4% ABV and 750 ml.

Q: When should I drink it?
A: Wine Spectator suggests drinking now, with a window that runs through 2031.