The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Champoux Vineyard is an exceptional wine, one that steals the show even when surrounded by the likes of Januik’s other current releases. Its awesome aromatics display sweet blackberries, cassis liqueur, dark cherries, and spices. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, densely-packed, and exceptionally long in the finish, it inundates the taster’s palate with violet-studded candied black fruits as well as jammy blueberries. This fresh, suave, silky wine is angle-free, has superb balance, reveals prodigious ripeness, and proudly boasts a 40+ second finish. Fair warning to my friends: I’ll be serving this $40 Cabernet next to California’s $200 cult bottlings in future blind tastings! Anticipated maturity: now-2016. Bravo! Tel. (425) 481-5502 www.januikwinery.com