The new releases include a 2008 Elderding Vineyard Chardonnay. Light gold-colored, it offers up aromas of pear, spiced apple, and lemon. Crisp on the palate with good balance and savory flavors, it will provide pleasure over the next 3-4 years. It is a good value. All Mike Januik does is make good wine, year after year, without a lot of fanfare or glitz.Tel. (425) 481-5502; www.januikwinery.com

The 2006 Chardonnay Elerding Vineyard is from a source yielding less than 2 tons of fruit per acre from relatively old vines by Washington standards. It was barrel-fermented and aged for 10 months in 50% new French oak. The wine offers up toasty, smoky aromas along with apple, pear, and mineral. This leads to a smooth-textured, tasty, balanced wine but which is slightly compact in the finish. Drink it over the next 4 years. Since I saw him last year, Mike Januik has moved into a splendid new winery in Woodinville which he shares with Novelty Hill Winery for whom he makes the wines. Current production is at 8000 cases.Tel. (425) 481-5502; www.januikwinery.com

Sharp, dense, tight and oaky; this has a lot of plump pineapple, apple and sweet citrus fruit. There is a wonderful mix of spice, herb, fruit and acid. Deep and focused, this wine has serious guts and the flavors last a good long time.——P.G.(12/31/2008)—— 93