Well as the last independent wine critic, I have a duty to call out crap wines and smoke tainted wines. No publication could afford me as I make too much money on my day job and benefits are amazing. Plus I could retire right now so I will keep pushing buttons!!!
June 8 was my last post on this topic.
Here are two just awful wines from my friends at Januik. Sad to see these made.
- 2020 Januik Cabernet Sauvignon Quintessence – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (8/28/2026)
Day 1: As bad as the Syrah I just opened. Time to get rid of these that are taking up room. Thankfully got a free case from a friend on these. Smoke taint. Terrible toothpaste aftertaste. Ash, muted fruit, dirt and pepper. Not good at all. 56 points
Drinkable in 23 but with smoke taint like any other issue the wines get much worse.
Day 3: Well much worse. 50 is the lowest we can go.
Recommendation: NO! Huge fan of Januik and get they need to make money but truly the sad thing is critics gave a lot of smoke taint wines good scores and most people have no clue how to detect smoke taint.
Side note: This when I had it first was not as bad and I get some of the smoke tainted wines showed somewhat decent on release. (56 points) - 2020 Januik Syrah Boushey – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (8/28/2026)
Day 1: Natural cork. Glasvin Kane. Well for sure smoke tainted and has a BO smell to it. Not recommended. Ash, muted fruit, BO, sugar and dirt. Terrible effort. 60 points
Day 3: 50 points!
This wine never showed well and any critic giving this a good score is a scammer. (60 points)