2023 Januik Red Blend, Columbia Valley, Washington State

Deep ruby-purple, opaque at the core. The nose leads with black cherry and plum, then rounds into cocoa, baking spice, and a mocha-inflected oak that sits in the background rather than out front. The palate is medium-to-full and fruit-forward, built on ripe dark fruit and soft, rounded tannins, with enough fresh acidity to keep it from going flabby. 

Mike Januik spent years as head winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle, where he built the single-vineyard and reserve programs that basically defined serious Washington wine before going out on his own in 1999. Wine Enthusiast named him one of the world's "Masters of Merlot."